December 19, 1903. 
THE O ARDEN! NO WORLD. 
1039 
called the Great Heed, is a handsome plant growing from 8 ft. 
to 10 ft. in height, with glaucous foliage, but in the colder parts 
of the country this should receive a slight protection in severe 
weather. Oyperus longus is a. very elegant plant for growing) 
at the margins of the water*, with bright green shining foliage 
and heads of reddish flowers. There are many more subjects 
suitable for the purpose, but the above will be found among 
tire best, especially for* giving winter effect. 
Making additions.—To, maintain, an, up-to-date collection! of 
herbaceous plants it becomes necessary to add some new 
varieties annually, and now that we are being almost inundated 
with catalogues it is a most difficult, matter for many to know 
which to, select and which not to, grow. As a, proof of the 
great interest which is now centred in all sections of hardy 
plants, one has only to notice the quantity of exhibits displayed 
at the Drill Hall meetings and other shows throughout the 
country, and the enthusiasm with which all classes of visitors 
inspect these, continues to grow as the various plants become 
better known. 
As, I have said, it is a difficult matter for the, inexperienced 
when reading the glowing descriptions, of many plants, par¬ 
ticularly novelties, in a catalogue to know which to order, but 
one may be well assured that those new plants which are 
recognised by the Floral Committee can be safely noted as 
acquisitions, but the majority of the remainder it, is better to 
see before ordering, as disappointment is then avoided. 
A. E. Thatcher. 
The Gardens, Aldenbam House, Elstree. 
Among the Orchids. 
The Cool House.—Iu the cool house, such showy species of 
Odontoglossums as 0. triumph an,s, 0. gloriosum, O. Hallii, 0. 
poly'xanthum, 0. crispum, 0. lateo-purpureum, and the hybrids, 
0. andersonianum, 0. Adriana,e, 0. wilckeamun, 0. crispo- 
harryanum, 0. Rolfeae, 0. wattianum and others, will be 
maturing their growth and the flower-spikes making their 
appearance. A sharp lock-out is necessary to protect them 
from the attacks of slugs and snails, which find an inroad to 
the house through the open ventilators, or are imported with 
the sphagnum moss during repotting operations. I find it 
necessary to wrap a piece of cottonwool around the flower- 
spikes as soon as they are sufficiently advanced to permit, of 
its being done, but they need protection, before this, as the 
smallest slug is sufficient to destroy the whole spike when it 
is attacked in, the earliest stages,. A piece of cottonwool 
wrapped around the whole base of the bulb 1 is then desirable,, 
but it should be removed as soon, as the scape lias, advanced 
sufficiently to permit of its being protected higher up. Pieces 
of Lettuce leaves placed about on the stages, bran placed on, 
pieces of crock and laid on. the plants and about the, stages, also 
brewers’ grain®, where they are procurable, have particular 
attractions for these troublesome pests, and with the aid of a, 
ljglit they may be found feeding on these during the evening 
and early morning, and are thus: easily trapped and destroyed. 
Any plants of special attraction in this, division should be 
suspended or isolated in some way from the stage, and every 
precaution taken, before the, flower-scape appears to ascertain, 
if possible, that the pots are free from slugs and snails. If 
either of the above mentioned be placed on the surface of the 
compost of the particular plant they are almost certain to 
come and feed. It will then be pretty clearly indicated if any 
of these pests are living on the pot. Where the young flower- 
scapes are advancing, it, is desirable to suspend the plants or 
place them within reasonable distance of the roof glass to 
prevent their becoming unduly drawn and weakened fromi 
the effect, of being at too great a distance from the roof glass. 
Odontoglossum Ros:sii majus, 0. humeanum, and others of 
this class are among the, most desirable, of midwinter flower¬ 
ing Orchids, and as they last a considerable time after the 
flowers have become expanded, they are deserving oif much 
more extensive culture than they at present have. Suspended 
m shallow pans during the winter, and placed in a cool, moist, 
and shady position through the summer months, they are 
particularly tractable to cultivation, and are especially suit¬ 
able lor the attention, of amateurs. Procured in winter and 
eai ly spring m an imported condition, they make good plants 
and flower satisfactorily the following season. 
Seedling Odontoglossums.—Those who grow their Odonto¬ 
glossums in a temperature of less than 50 deg. at night will 
find some difficulty in keeping seedlings in a small state, in a 
lealthy and desirable condition. The cool temperature, and 
damp conditions are very detrimental to them. Care must also 
be taken when watering plants in the seed-bed to ascertain 
that the water used is equal to, and, better still, if used a 
degree or two, above,, the normal temperature, of the, house A 
coo 1 nitenuediate house is the, best place to a,ccom.no,date 
small Odontioglossum seedlings, at the present time, and for 
the, next few weeks until better condition® prevail outside. 
I lie temperature ranging from 55 to 60 deg. at night will be 
iound sufficient to meet their requirements. ~ Water sparingly, 
and reduce the moisture in the atmosphere to a minimum 
when the outside conditions are such as, to cause low reading 
from the, thermometer. j r r c 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Azaleas. For utility and beauty these are unsurpassed, 
ana a, wealth of blossom of varying shades may be bad for 
several months in the year by good culture during growth, and 
by introducing a few plants to the forcing house at intervals 
from the month of November to March. To. obtain the best 
results,, a, temperature, of about 50 deg. by night, rising to 
60 deg*, m the, day, should be kept up for forcing. Although 
the genus resen,tsi hard forcing, the temperature will not harm 
the plants, provided the, after treatment is of the best. A 
bed of leaves and stable manure in about equal proportions 
will answer well for plunging* the Ghent and Chine,se varieties 
into. The Indian species should not, be, plunged, but be 
brought on into, flower by placing the plants upon the stages 
or the same structure as is utilised nt forcing other plants, and 
shrubs. Syringe the plants overhead twice daily, and damp 
the paths and beds at, intervals during the day. Although it, 
is not advised to keep the roots of the plants, in, a, saturated 
condition, yet they must never become dry. 
Lachenalias. — These South African bulbous plants should 
be, kept near the roof glass in the cool greenhouse, and no 
attempt made to, force them, or disappointing results will 
follow. A little, weak manure-Avater will now assist to build 
the plants up to ensure bold, well-developed spikes of blossom 
in the early spring months. Having regard to the long time 
these beautiful flowers last in perfection, either upon the 
plant or when cut, and placed in, vases: of water, and the ease 
with which they may be grown, it is, siftrising they are not 
more frequently met with in, collections of greenhouse plant®. 
Bulbs. — Relays of various bulbs that, were potted or boxed 
up, a,s advised in the autumn, should be brought into the) 
forcing house: and accorded a, genial temperature until the 
blossoms commence to open, when tliey may be removed to 
the, show house or cut as required. As many should be 
brought in at one time as will maintain the, supply, or, if 
wanted in quantity for a given, date, then, sufficient should be 
introduced in good time to, meet, thei demand. Where long 
flower-stems of Tulips and other bulbs are desired, it, is a good 
plan to place an. inverted flower-pot or box over the one con¬ 
taining the, bulb®, for a. few days soon after top growth is quite 
active; they* should, however,] be watched and removed before 
the plants become drawn spindly. 
Plants at Rest.—These are frequently placed under stages 
and other places out of sight, and it sometimes happens they 
are forgotten until the time arrives for* potting them up. 
Bulbous plants, such as Begonias, Gloxinias, Achimenes, etc., 
should not become too dry, a® they are apt to do when laid on 
