September 12, 1903. 
THE OAR DE NINO WORLD. 
767 
border. This grows about 5 ft. in height, sometimes more, 
and has a splendid constitution, giving a. grand show of bloom 
when grouped from now until late in autumn. The clumps 
need dividing every three years, and I' have never once known 
this Phlox to fail, not even in a very dry season, which is. often 
the cause of so many proving unsatisfactory. Though the in¬ 
dividual flowers are not so large as some of the newer varieties, 
it is one of the most desirable plants to grow. 
Keep the growths of herbaceous plants, Asters and the like, 
looped up as they require it, and remove any rubbish from the 
plants that have already decayed, also stir the soil occasionally 
to keep down weeds, which are plentiful at this season, 
A. E. TAatchbr. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Fruit under Glass. 
Early Vinery. —Though less water at the root of Vines 
planted in borders is. required during early autumn, they must 
on no account suffer from drought, therefore frequent, examina¬ 
tion should be made as to moisture, and a thorough soaking 
be given when found necessary. Keep all sub-laterals re¬ 
moved and the principal foliage well syringed three or four 
times a week, until the same show signs of ripening, when it 
should be discontinued. 
Succession Houses containing ripei fruit will require careful 
management with such a wet season as we are having, little 
or no damping down being necessary during dull or wet days, 
and a circulation of warm air playing through the structures 
day and night; and should root watering be required, it should 
be earned out early in the day, and, what is more, a. bright 
day should be taken advantage of, SO' that full ventilation can 
be afforded at the time the work is being executed. A thin 
layer of straw or bracken, should be placed over the inside 
border, and thus help to retain the moisture there. 
Wasps are much more plentiful in this part than anticipated, 
and we were obliged to put up hexagon netting, a. material 
made expressly for excluding these depredators, and yet allow 
a good space for the admission of fresh air so necessary when 
ripe grapes are hanging on the Vines. Inspect the bunches, 
twice or so weekly, cutting out any decaying berries or those 
disfigured by those enemies just mentioned, and a. search should 
be made in the daytime for their nests within half a mile 
radius, marking any that may be found with a stick and piece 
of white paper, so that their haunts may have half a pint of tar 
poured into the mouth of the nest about 9 or 10 p.m., when 
most of the fry are home, after which a thick sod should be 
placed over their entrance, which, if properly carried out, 
seldom requires secondary attention. 
Latest Grapes. —In many localities these still require a 
month’s bright weather to finish such grapes; as Lady Downes, 
Gros Colman, Mrs. Pince, and a. few ethers. Keep the tem¬ 
perature. about 80 degrees, or a. little more when, the weather 
proves bright during the day, while the night temperatures 
may read 60 degrees towards 6 a.m. next morning. Remove 
sub-laterals in a young state, reducing the amount of venti¬ 
lation towards 3 p.m., and maintain a little warmth in the 
pipes at all times during such unsettled weather. Like 
remarks apply to the inside borders as. regards water, damping 
down, etc., as given for succession vineries. 
Pineapples. —Swelling fruit should be afforded a day tem¬ 
perature of 85 degrees during bright weather, with a. very thin 
shade of tiffany or even fish netting from 11 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., 
closing soon after 3 p.m. with plenty of moisture, avoiding 
much overhead, or the crowns are liable to get too. large. 
Examine the plants twice a week as to moisture at the root, 
and when water is necessary give the plant weak doses of 
farmyard drainings or guano squeezed up in the water until 
the fruit shows signs of colouring, when withhold water alto¬ 
gether. Plants in flower must be kept dry overhead, with 
rather less moisture about the house or pit when at this stage, 
and a day temperature of 80 degrees with sun heat; 70 to°75 
degrees during the night will do no harm. Shift into a 2-inch 
larger pot any plants requiring more root space before the days 
get too short, and continue to insert suckers as the same become 
fit, first removing a few of the bottom leaves, and cutting square 
across with a sharp knife ; pot firm, and plunge to the rim in 
a little bottom heat, near the glass roof, affording a night tem¬ 
perature of 65, rising 10 or 15 degrees by sun heat, and shade 
for about a fortnight., keeping the plants lightly syringed once 
or twice- daily. 
Bieton, Devonshire. James Matne. 
Among the Orchids. 
Dendrobium Phalaenopsis. —Among the autumn-flowering 
Orchids there is nothing more attractive than the racemes 
of this beautiful species. The varied tints of colour found 
among them blend in harmony to such an extent that it renders 
the racemes most useful for cut-flower purposes, and, as they 
last a good while after they are cut, their claims to general 
cultivation cannot be overlooked. At one time, not so 1 many 
years ago, D. Phalaenopsis was only represented by one or 
two specimens in cultivation. During the last few years it 
has been reintroduced and imported in such quantities that it 
is easily obtainable, and at a cost within the limits of the 
most humble cultivator’s outlay. There is no reason, there¬ 
fore, why it should not be generally cultivated to a. greater 
extent than is the case at present. 
Culture. —Where the ordinary requirements of stove plants 
can be provided, the facilities, for the successful cultivation of 
D. Phalaenopsis exist. Like most of the plants in general 
cultivation in this division, it makes its growth during the 
summer months, when the facilities for the development of 
growth are easily provided. As soon as the growth matures 
it produces its flower-scapes, which are generally expanded 
by the end of October. As soon as tire flowering season is 
past, the plants enter upon an extended season of rest through 
the dullest season of the year. 
The cooler and drier conditions of the. stove at this time 
meet all that is necessary during the dormant or resting 
period. In late spring or early summer, when more liberal 
conditions are afforded, the new growth commences. It is best 
at this period to examine the plants for any repotting re¬ 
quirements that may be necessary. 
It is not advisable to annually repot the plants; hut after 
the resting the moss on the surface of the pots suffers. If 
this decaying matter is not removed and replaced by fresh- 
growing sphagnum, it. causes the surface to become sour, and 
the whole of the compost becomes affected and rendered un¬ 
suitable to the roots of the plants. Liberal moisture both in 
the atmosphere and at the roots must be afforded when the 
plants are. in; active growth. 
During the resting period very little root moisture is ne¬ 
cessary, but- sufficient, must be afforded to enable the pseudo- 
bulbs t-o retain their normal degree of plumpness. Shrivelling 
must be guarded against;; to allow any of the Australian or 
New Guinea, sections of Dendrobiums to become; reduced to 
any material extent, is fatal to the future condition of the 
plants. 
It is at the resting period when the observant cultivator 
will succeed, not alone in this, but in all branches of Orchids. 
The proper time and conditions under' which root moisture, is 
afforded is one of the principal arts to be acquired in the 
successful cultivation of the plants in one’s- charge. H. J. 
*** The prize last week in the Readers’ Competition was 
awarded to “J. C. B.” for his article on “Layering,” 
page 753. 
