380 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
May 2, 1903. 
Odontoglossum Crispum Lowae. 
The above variety represents a very beautiful form of Odon- 
toglot, in a species which never seems to cease furnishing sur¬ 
prises. It turned up in an importation made some time ago 
by Messrs. Hugh Low and Co., Bush Hill Park, Enfield. As 
will be seen by reference to the illustration in another column, 
the sepals and petals are white, with a large brownish-purple 
blotch in the centre of each. Occasionally the blotches may be 
broken up into several, or variously lobed. On the lip are 
several blotches in front of the crest. The fine round shape 
of the flower and its other features may be seen by .reference 
to the picture without further description. The photograph 
from which the illustration was prepared was sent in by Mr. 
George I’Anson for our competition in February last. 
Droseras (Sundews). 
(See p. 387.) 
This is a curious species of insectivorous plant, whose leaves 
are covered with bright crimson hairs, covered with a kind of 
gum, which glistens in the sun, and has given the plants belong¬ 
ing to the genus the popular name of Sundew. These hairs 
retain any small insects that come in touch with them. P. 
capensis is the strongest growing form, but D. binata and D. 
dichotoma are the most elegant kinds, their slender stems sup¬ 
porting a half-moon-shaped leaf. D. spathulata grows in the 
form of small rosettes, and is easily raised from seed, but D. 
binata, D. dichotoma, and D. capensis are best propagated by 
the roots. They should be potted in peat, sphagnum, moss, 
and sharp silversand, with good drainage, as they require an 
abundance of water in the growing season. This should be 
done in the early spring, before active growth commences, and 
be grown fully exposed to the sun to get. their colour, and as 
near the glass as possible in the intermediate house. H. 
The Temperate House at Kew. 
The large winter garden, or Temperate House, as it is more 
often called, at Kew, is at present well worth a special visit by 
all who 1 are interested in cool-house plants>,*for now the majority 
of flowering subjects are at their best, whilst Ferns, Palms and 
other foliage things are rapidly developing new leaves, and are 
specially attractive on account of the various delicate shades 
of green exhibited. The house itself is worthy a visit, for it 
is one of the largest, if not the largest plant house in the 
world. The entire building, including corridors and porches, 
is 628 ft. in length, and in the widest part it is 140 ft. wide, 
the height of the central portion being 60 ft. The building is 
divided into five divisions, a central walk running through the 
whole. The main or central block is 216 ft. long, 140 ft. 
wide, and 60 ft. high. At each end of this part are two 
octagonal corridors, each 54 ft. in diameter, connecting north 
and south wings to the main building. These wings are each 
116 ft. long, 64 ft. wide, and 38 ft. high. The remaining por¬ 
tion of the length is made up of porches. The central portion 
of the building and the octagons have been in existence about 
forty years, the wings having been added recently—the one 
at the south end being completed in 1897, and the one at the 
north end in 1898. 
A very interesting and extensive collection of plants is to be 
found in the Temperate House, each division containing a dis¬ 
tinct set. The principal plants in the central portion are Aus¬ 
tralian, New Zealand, S. African, and sub-tropical American. 
The minimum temperature of the central portion in cold weather 
is from 40 deg. to 45 deg., the maximum being from 45 deg. to 
50 deg., rising-much higher with sun heat. As might be sup¬ 
posed in such a house, Acacias are given a foremost place, and 
there are very many fine specimens. Altogether, upwards of 
100 species are grown, a large proportion being planted in 
borders. These flower magnificently, and well repay the 
generous treatment accorded by border culture. Mention may 
be made of a few species of Acacia which do particularly well. 
These are A. aeinacea, armata and varieties, baileyana, deal- 
bata, Drummondii, hastulata, juniperina, leprosa, longifolia 
myrtifolia, pubescens, pulchella, verticillata and others. Aus 
traiian plants which call for special mention at the present time 
are Eutaxia myrtifolia, Aotu gracillima, Boronia polygalifolia 
Hibbertia Readii, Grevillea punicea, Chorizema (variou 
species), Prostanthera denticulata, Hardenbergia monophylla 
and many other things. 
Flowering plants from other countries at present in goo< 
condition are Datura sanguinea, Calceolaria violacea, Calpurni, 
aurea, Clianthus puniceus and the white variety albus, Ce? 
trums in variety, Sparmannia africana and many other thing- 
Foliage plants are represented by Araucaria Bidwillii, A. ex 
celsa. and A. Cunninghamii, the specimens reaching the root 
and being clothed with foliage from base to summit. 
Tree Ferns, of which worthy examples are Dicksonia antan 
tica, D. fibrosa, D. Lathamii, D. squamosa, D. gracilis an 
others, Cyathea medullaris, C. dealbata, etc., Hemifojia Smithi 
Alsophila australis and A. excelsa, Thyrsopteris elegans, an 
many other things. Palms are represented by a large nuuibc 
of species, fine specimens of many being in evidence. Addr 
to these things are to be found fine plants of Cordyline austral; 
Yucca guatemalensis, Bamboos, Aralias and many other thing 
The octagons are filled with specimen plants in tubs, the sout 
octagon containing Oranges, Lemons, and Limes, and the non 
octagon Bays, Myrtles, Get lira s, and other plants of a sim ; h 
character. 
The north wing is an exceedingly interesting house, as 
contains only such plants as are nearly hardy, requiring pr 
tection only from the severest frost, or whilst the flowers ai 
open. The minimum temperature of this house is 30 deg. i 
32 deg. The plants for the most part belong to the Himalaya 
China or Japan, but a few American plants, such as Carpenter 
californica and Fremontia ealifornica, are also grown. Rli 
dodendrons form the principal feature of the house, and eo 
spicuous are R. arboreum, R. grande, R. barbatum, R. ciliatur 
R. Dalhousiae, R. Nuttallii, R. king'ianum, R. decorum, R. F; 
coneri, R. griffithianum, R. Keysii, R. niveum, and many othei 
Camellias are represented by many varieties of C. japonic 
as well as by the species C. reticulata, C. Sasanqua, C. rosa 
flora, and the Tea, C. theifera. Other noteworthy plants 
the house are Pentapterygium serpens, a handsome scarlc 
flowered Himalayan shrub, Agapetes buxifolia, Buddleia C< 
villei, Diospyro® Kaki, Corylopsis pauciflora, Eriobotr 
japonica, the pendulous variety of Cupressus funebris, Nandii 
domestica, Edgeworthia chrysantha, Clianthus Dampieri, ai 
many other things. 
Tire south wing is the warmest portion of the winter garde 
The minimum temperature is 50 deg. Java Rhododendro 
form one of the principal features of the house, the plants bo 
growing and flowering better than they do in pots. Sevei 
species of Cinchona, are growing well, as also are the Many 
Lemon, Tree Tomato, Guava, and many other plants . 
economic value. Flowering plants, such as Brunfelsias, St- 
litzias, Gardenias, Lagerstroemias, Ervthrina Humei, and nrr 
other things grow and flower well, whilst many’Palms and ot!' 
foliage plants give variety. Rockeries in this house, plant! 
with Cacti and other succulents, are very attractive, and g;? 
a distinct character to the house-. Although a few things or 
are mentioned of the many grown, they will serve to give i 
idea of the rich collections of plants to be found in the wint' 
garden at Kew. W. Dallimore. 
Stealing Orchids in India.— Mr. S. P. Chatterjee, thew'- 
known florist of the Victoria Nursery, Narcoldangah, Calcul- 
said that he would not be able to hold his time-honoured Ore,' 
Show this year, owing to the constant and extensive thefts of ■ 
valuable plants which have occurred throughout last year. 1 f 
he is not going to entirely deprive plant-lovers of the treat » 
which they have been looking forward, and so he contrived alt 
all to hold what was considered a good show, which was k t 
open for a week, 
