THE GARDENING WORLD 
837 
October 3rd, 1903. 
less deeply tinted on the back, as is always the case in the 
open air. The last, of the series of twelve colours was magenta, 
and in this strain the colours varied from rose to rich magenta 
and carmine. At the end of the above set cf single varieties 
was a bed or two named Zebra, the dowers of which were 
spotted or blotched with white on a ground of some dark 
colour, such as scarlet or crimson. 
The ground on the other side of the central pathway of the 
field was occupied with double varieties assorted to colours in 
the same 1 way and under the same names precisely as given for 
the singles. It was astonishing to find them flowering so freely 
after such a season, and producing flowers of large size and 
equally fine in colour as those under glass, the only difference 
being that the older flowers were more or less battered in cases 
by the inclemency of the weather. We need only mention a 
few cases in which the plants were characterised by superior 
vigour and the percentage of first-class bedding varieties to be 
obtained from them. The labour entailed in labelling all the 
first-class things in a field of 100,000 plants is no light task 
indeed, and every day and every opportunity will be fully 
utilised in carrying out this work. 
The double crimson varieties had made excellent, .growth and 
were wonderfully floriferous. The golden-bronze varieties 
showed great variation, and the plants were also- notable for 
their floriferous character. Tlie same might be said of the beds 
of salmon, flesh, scarlet, and white varieties. Tire scarlet 
strain was characterised by splendid quality. The white 
varieties were also a great success from the raiser's point of 
view, owing to the high percentage of fine Camellia-shaped 
flowers. In a word, we might describe them as a. splendid lot, 
with a large percentage of first-class flowers. Those who wish 
to see this display should make a point, of travelling by rail 
to Bexley Heath before the' advent of frost endangers the 
flowers. 
The Best Flowering Plants at Kew. 
“There are more plants in the garden than ye wot of.” 
Oncidium Forbesii. 
One of the handsomest species of this useful and interesting 
genus. It is somewhat closely allied to O. crispum, but has a 
larger and more copiously flowered panicle of differently col¬ 
oured flowers. The scapes, which are 18 in. to 36 in, long, 
support large flowers 2 in. to 2^ in, in diameter, the segments 
of which are all of a bright chestnut-brown, colour, bordered 
with golden-yellow. Hence it is frequently referred to as the 
“ Gold-laced Onoid.” The margins of the petals being crisped 
and wavy imparts to it an additional charm. Organ Moun¬ 
tains. 
, Vanda caerulea. 
The high estimation in which this plant is held is plainly 
shown by the numerous occasions it has been described and 
figured. In its native habitat it is fairly hardy, frequently sub¬ 
jected to 8 to 10 deg. of frost during winter, and flowering in 
a temperature of from 60 to 80 deg. F. Its. popularity and 
V| beauty give it high rank even amongst Orchids. Khasia Hills, 
India.. 
Dip odium pictum. 
. Although this plant is at present flowering for the 1 first time 
m cultivation, yet its general appearance and habit imply that 
it may prove a plant of easy culture, and certainly one of hor- 
ticultural value. The stem, which is spirally arranged around 
a block, is apparently of a, semi-erect habit, clothed with closely 
inserted, leathery, channelled leaves in two rows. Scape, 12 in., 
supporting nine flowers each about 2 in. in diameter, pile 
yellow, spotted crimson,, the spots being intensified on the re¬ 
verse. Malayan. Peninsula- 
Crimim natans. 
I , Edition to being interesting because it is the only species 
K-.ving submerged leaves, it is also a highly decorative plant. 
It is an aquatic grown entirely under water. Its nearest 
affinity is to C. pupurescens, which is found in the same region 
of Africa, and described as amphibious. Apparently for its 
successful culture it requires to be grown in a tank where the 
water is continually in motion. Leave® strap-shaped, 4 ft. to 
5 ft- long, with a much-waved margin numerously produced. 
The erect scape;, rising above the water, is about 1 ft. high, bear¬ 
ing on its summit an. umbel of erect flowers, having a, greenish 
tube 6 in. long, and widely recurved, linear-lanceolate 1 , pure 
white segments and yellow anthers. 
Nerine Fothergilli major. 
The bright glittering scarlet colour of the flowers of this 
greenhouse bulbous plant renders it veiy conspicuous and 
attractive, especially so when, they are so arranged with a 
suitable ground work of, preferably, Adiantums, so that their 
leafless condition is unobservable. 
Achimenes longiflora macrantha. 
A large-flowered form, which, as a basket plant, leaves little 
more to. be desired. Its rounded stems, 1-|- ft- to 2-1 ft. long, are 
clothed with numerous patent hairs and dark green leaves, 
which, in their axils, produce large, spreading, violet-blue 
flowers, having a white blotch in the centre. Mexico. 
Calceolaria integri olia. 
This must not be confounded with a form once in cultivation 
under this namei, and now referred to as. C 1 . rugosa, a, dwarf 
specie® 12 in- to 18 in. high, having a. rusty-coloured under¬ 
surface on its leaves. The plant, here, referred to is a handsome 
object 3 ft. to 4 ft. high and 2 ft. to 2\ ft- through. It has 
an erect, freely branching habit, the" stems, and axillary 
blanche® being terminated by large clusters on long peduncles, 
small, fragrant, rich yellow flowers. As a specimen plant for 
the greenhouse it is highly effective 1 , forming a worthy com¬ 
panion to C. Burb-idgei. Chili. 
Abelia chinensis (syn. A. uniflora). 
A haggling, very free-flowering bush, having a. graceful 
habit- Though only hardy in favoured districts, it is well 
worthy the protection, of a wall, whereon it is smothered with 
its white, blush-tinted flowers- China- 
Clerodendron trichotomum. 
The haidiest species, forming a small tree with a. spreading 
head. At the present season it is most conspicuous, its white 
flowers contrasting with the reddish-brown, calyces., and further 
enhanced by the large ample foliage which is assuming the. rich 
reddish tints of autumn. China and Japan. 
Amaryllis Belladonna kewensis. fn 
. Tfcis variety (possibly the result of selection, as. in a, collec¬ 
tion many grades in size of flowers are to be seen) differs from 
th e type by its larger, more abundantly produced flowers, which 
are of a brighter colour. 
Vitality of Seeds. 
Last year a systematic effort, was begun in the Department of 
Agriculture to determine how long seed vitality was retained 
under different conditions of storage and climate. To this 
end, boxes; containing five packages each were sent, to different 
parts of the country and to. the West Indies, and arrangements 
made to have them stored. All possible variations of climate 
were selected for tests, and the experiments are being con¬ 
ducted with as much uniformity as possible. It is now nearly 
a year since the seeds 1 were sent out, and instructions are issued 
airecting that the first of the five packages be returned to 
Washington with a. statement of the conditions under which it 
was stored, the temperature variations it was subjected to, and 
the relative humidity of the place. Next year the second 
package of seeds will be called in, and so on for the five years. 
The seeds, after being returned, are to. be carefully tested to 
ascertain how well they withstood the conditions imposed upon 
them.—“American Gardening.” 
