August 29 , 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
727 
recommendations of this bulb is that it seems to- succeed in any 
situation. Whether in the shrubbery, in the mixed flower 
border, or dotted about in the Rhododendron beds, we have 
found it succeed admirably, and generally reaches a height of 
between 4 ft. and 5 ft. 
It should be neatly stated, and tied with the top of the stick 
up to the first bell, and propagation can be effected from seed 
or offshoots of the bulb. 
Chrysanthemum maximum.-—The improved forms of this 
old plant are almost indispensable in the herbaceous border, as 
they make a pleasing show for a long period, and are most 
useful for cutting. None of them exceed 2| ft. in height, but- 
a little support is in most cases necessary. The list of varieties 
continues to swell, but the following are all excellent: Mrs. 
Head is a most characteristic plant, and quite distinct from 
all, the habit being very pleasing. Filiforme is of upright 
habit, and the petals 1 are deeply laciniated, giving it a graceful 
appearance. M. Pritchard has long petals, narrower than the 
type. 
Li Hung Chang is a new variety of immense size; so also 
is Monarch. Any good garden soil suits these- well, and except 
being divided when they become too large, little attention is 
necessary. 
Chrysanthemum latifolium is better suited for the shrub¬ 
beries than the border, as it is a much taller and coarser 
grower; nevertheless a useful plant, and valuable for cut 
flower. This should be split up frequently to keep -it within 
bounds, and is thereby rendered more vigorous. 
A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree, Herts. 
Among the Orchids. 
Cypripediuras.- —Some summer flowering kinds, such a-s C. 
lawrenceanum, C. ciliolare, C. callosum, C. Curtisii, etc., 
and the hybrids also, which have been derived from the in¬ 
fluence of some one 1 or another of this section in their parentage, 
will now be 1 emitting new roots from the base of the developing 
growth; any repotting requirements that may be necessary 
should be done as soon as the new roots appear. In the neigh¬ 
bourhood of large towns- or in smoky districts, where long 
periods of diffused light ha-ve to- be contended with, the potting 
compost should not be of too close a nature-, not- only for these, 
but for any o-f the kinds which have t ass elation in the foliage. 
A compost of rough peat, a little leaf soil and chopped 
sphagnum moss, with sufficient rough sand or broken crocks to 
keep the compost in a porous condition, is the best for use in 
such unfavourable surroundings. The 1 detrimental effect- of 
soil containing loam under the above conditions is found in 
the great, difficulty that- arises in winter in affording moisture 
to- the roots. When water has been given, the plants remain 
wet at- the roots for too great- a period ; this is generally fol¬ 
lowed by black spotting, the points- of the' leaves decaying and 
destruction of roots. 
Where brighter conditions prevail the use of fibrous turfy 
loam may be adopted with advantage, the closer nature of 
the soil being more suitable to the requirements of t-he plants 
during the warmer months of the year. The compost should 
be pressed moderately firm, and the plants should be watered 
immediately after repotting. Shade from the direct- rays- of 
the sun, and keep- the house close for a few days, until the 
roots get away into- the new compost. A light spray with t-he 
syringe during the middle of the day will be' found beneficial. 
Increasing the Stock. —There are many of the species which 
rarely make double breaks, and continuing their growth of suc¬ 
cessive years in a rhizome. It is a difficult, matter to increase 
the stock except by dividing the rhizome between the back 
years growths. I would advise divisions of large specimens 
being made some little time previous to repotting. Cutting the 
rhizome asunder between, t-he growth before repotting has the 
advantage of affording the benefit of any old roots to the 
growth, which better enables them to produce the break and 
develop growth, than when they are turned out of the pots, 
the rhizome divided, and repotting the stock thus made. 
Growth soon makes its appearance when the plants are cut 
asunder, provided suitable conditions are afforded. In dealing 
with smaller plants, where it is desirable to increase stock, the 
division -should not be made until the young growth has be>- 
come strong, and new roots being emitted. The divided por¬ 
tion will be enabled within a reasonable period to provide the 
necessary requirements of t-he growth thus severed and taken 
away. The old growth being left undisturbed in the po-t soon 
produces new growth, which may be repotted when, new roots 
make their appearance. 
In dealing with valuable plants such as C. lawrenceanum 
hyeanum and the other albinos, this is by far the safest way 
to increase the stock. The compost- for young divided plants 
should consist of fibrous peat, leaf soil, and sand, with sphagnum 
moss covering the surface of the- compost. The po-tsi should not 
be too large, but- when the roots, have penetrated through the 
compost- t-he plants will be benefited by more room and a larger 
pot . H. J. 
Fruit under Glass. 
Melons, —The cold, sunless- weather of la-t-e has not been in 
favour of this fruit, a-s unless plenty of sun and full ventilation 
can, be afforded ripening fruits, they are sure to lack sweetness, 
without which a Melon, of all fruits, is not worth eating. 
Any reaching this stage require great- care a-s- regards- root 
waterings, also overhead moisture, none being necessary in 
either case after once- it is noticed the fruits are on t-he verge 
of ripening, or ill-flavoured split fruit will ensue. Neither will 
swelling crops require the same amount- as- during bright 
weather, only applying water when really in want, and keeping 
it clear of the stem a-t -the base, or canker more than likely 
will set in, specially -so- with plants growing in pits or frames 
with t-he vine- resting on the soil. And airing requires judg¬ 
ment- in such unseasonable weather, putting on little at a time, 
and increasing the same as the thermometer advances: being 
the safest to avoid any check to the plants. Fruits should be 
placed on pieces of slate or on inverted 4in. pots when growing 
in frames, so that every ray of light and sun can reach them, 
and keep the growth well thinned o-ut- in its early stage®, or it 
soon becomes a thicket. 
Secure the latest plants to the trellis, not- pinching the lead¬ 
ing shoot unt-il within 9in. of its limit, and should a few bottom 
laterals- be- inclined to take the lead too- much, stop them a-t 
the first joint, when the resulting lateral will come into- flower 
about the same time as the upper ones. Fertilise all female 
blossoms at mid-day for a we-ek, by which time a set- -should 
have- been secured, reserving from two t-o four of as even a size 
as possible, so that all may swell away together - , and assist with 
weak manorial waterings when required a-t the root-. 
Pot Vines. —As the cane® turn, brown less water and more 
air should be given t-o ca-nes prepared for fruiting early next 
spring, and as- the wood becomes thoroughly firm and the 
foliage begins to* take on the autumn tint, place the pots o-ut 
of doo-rs at the foot of the south wall, standing the same level, 
and fastening the canes t-o the wall to prevent their being 
twisted, a-s well a-s to further ripen the wood, reducing the sub- 
laterals to- where they sprung from. Apply only sufficient water 
to prevent flagging of the- lea-ve-s, and should such, heavy ra-ins 
continue a-s we are now having the surface of the ball o-f roots 
should be covered with something to throw 7 o-ff the wet. 
Figs. —Maintain a dry, warm air w - he-re ripening fruits are, 
exposing the same- to all the light available, pinching any 
shoots that have filled their allotted space on the trellis, and 
after the fruit ha-s been all gathered pull off all surplus growth 
(and the Fig is prone t-o throw out such a number), so that the 
sun may assist to ripen up the wood for next- season’s fruit crop. 
Allow full ventilation, syringing w r ith soft soap and a little 
