THE GARDENING WORLD. 
-March 26, 1904. 
216 
C. parviflorum.—The sepals and spirally-twisted petals of 
this specie® are rich brownish purple, and more or less 
decidedly glossy. The lip is bright yellow and somewhat 
flattened on the top. The species may be compared to G. 
pubesoens, but has rather smaller flowers, decidedly sweetly 
scented, and the lip is flattened at the top instead of at the 
sides, a>s in C. pubescens. The plant, under ordinary circum¬ 
stances, grows from 15 in. to 18 in. in height, though it may 
grow taller in North America, where it grows wild. It was 
originally introduced to this country in 1759. It is of easy 
cultivation under the same treatment accorded the others, but, 
like most of those which flower rather early, it gives the 
greatest satisfaction under the shelter of a cold frame, which 
can very easily be given when grown in pots or pans. 
C. montanum .—In; gardens this is frequently named C. occi¬ 
dental©, and is another .species hailing from North America. 
The! oldest name isl C. montanum, but whatever appellation is 
given to it is undoubtedly a very pretty species worthy of the 
cultivator's best attention. The upright 'stems bear two or 
three flowers of a. delicate rosy-white colour. The segments 
are also more or less shaded with deeper rose veins. 
C candidum. —The .sepals and petals in this case are 
greenish-brown, while the lip i's white. Usually it grows about 
12 in. in height, bearing a number of flowers on a .stem and 
flowering in early summer. The flowers are smaller than those 
of C. spect.abile, but certainly very pretty. The plant is by 
no means common in this country, although originally 'intro¬ 
duced from North America, in 1826. 
C. californicum. —The flowers of this species are quite dis¬ 
tinct from any of the above mentioned, inasmuch as the sepals 
and petals, are yellow. The lip is. rosy-white, and more or less 
spotted with darker markings. Each stem bears from two to 
four flowers., and the whole plant is very handsome when in 
bloom. It isi a native of California, as the namei would indi¬ 
cate. 
C. macranthon. —In, stature this may be compared • to C. 
lmmile, although it is rather a larger plant in several respects. 
The flowers are produced singly on the stem, which varies 
from 9 in. to 12 in. in, height. The sepals, petals, and veiy 
much inflated lip are of a deep rich purple. It is perfectly 
hardy, and was originally introduced from Siberia, in. 1829, 
flowering hi this country in May a,nd June. 
C. arietinum. —Amongst hardy Cypripediums this is one of 
the tiniest, though certainly very pretty. The sepals and 
petals are greenish-brown, while the lip is red with very much 
paler or nearly white veins. The upright leafy stems vary 
from 7 in. to 10 in. in height. North America is its native 
home, from whence it was introduced in 1808. The specific 
name refers to, the form of thei flower, which has been com¬ 
pared to a ram’s head. Each stem bears only one flower. 
C. japonicum. —The Japanese ‘Slipper was introduced from 
Japan in 1874, but, it isl still very uncommon in, gardens. The 
sepals are greenish, and more, or less spotted with red. The 
petals and lip, on the contrary, are white, more or less tinted 
with crimson, and the contrast of colours makes the species 
very distinct from any of those above mentioned. The plant 
varies from 6 in. to 12 in. in, height, but the stems only carry 
two* large, fan-shaped light green leaves more or less 
crumpled at, the edge®. In its, number of leaves it recalls C. 
humile. Each stem carries only a single flower. 
C. debile. —Although described by Reichenbaeh many years 
ago, this does not seeim to have been introduced until re¬ 
cently, but we may expect it to, turn up at some of the public 
exhibitions presently. It, is a native of Japan. 
C. guttatum. —In, this we have a species which has been 
widely distributed over the northern hemisphere in ancient 
time®, for it is recorded from Siberia, Northern Russia,, and 
North America,, having been introduced to this country a® long 
ago as 1829. The flowers are small, but of a, beautiful snow 
white, and heavily blotched or marbled with rose-purple. The 
stems vary from 6 in. to 9 in., and bear Two broadly ovate 
downy leave®. If. is perfectly hardy, and should be, planted in 
shady positions, where it will grow if planted in. a, mixture of 
peat, leaf mould, and sand. The root® should he kept rather 
dry in winter. 
All the above species are at present in cultivation in some 
or other garden or nursery, the more common species being 
those first given in the above article. We should be pleased 
to see the cultivation of these interesting plants greatly ex¬ 
tended. 
Lobelia tenuior. 
The above-named, I should say, is a very useful plant 
throughout the summer 1 months, and where a lot of plants are 
used for furnishing in pots this one takes a first place with its 
beautiful blue flowers and stands! pretty well erect. Where 
pot plants are used throughout the summer in a pergola, this 
Lobelia, looks; well amongst them and lasts a considerable time 
when, in bloom. The plants grow from 15 in. to 20 in. high, 
and do well in pots or planted in the borders; but last summer 
was very bad for it in borders, as it was too wet, though the 
reverse in pots. Where colour is wanted this suits admirably, 
and plants dotted here and there on a stage look veiy pleasing. 
Seed should be sown about the first week in March, and as soon 
as large enough prick off into thumb pot®. When the pots 
are filled with roots give another* shift into 48’s or 54’s with a 
mixture of good loam, leaf-soil, .sand and a, few pieces of lime 
rubble to keep the mixture'porous. When they get from 5 in. 
to 6 in. long, a, small stake should be placed to them toi steady 
them. They can be worked in batches by pinching the top^ 
off so ,as to regulate the flowering; when they get up they can 
be gradually hardened off in a, frame. When grown in pots it 
blooms very freely either in a, cool house or outside. Last 
summer a batch was grown here and was admired by all who 
saw them. They were mixed in, tropical bedding and with 
Pelargoniums,. Petunia®, Calceolarias, Mignonette, and other 
plants. Flitchwick. 
The Use of Cyanide. 
The notes copied from “ The Weekly Florists’ Review,” re¬ 
specting “ The Use of Cyanide,” is useful, because it serves to 
show how dangerous and untrustworthy it is to follow im¬ 
plicitly all the advice given by American writers. 
“ W. S., ” I should .say, was a,s ignorant of the deadliness of 
cyanide gas as an infant, and “ A. F. Woods ” did well to issue 
a warning. 
That this fumigant isi extremely valuable cannot be gainsaid, 
but I would strongly advise all who contemplate using it to 
write to Strawson’s, of Queen, Victoria, Street, London, for 
advice. Mr.. G. F. Strawson ha,si been engaged on a number 
of experiments, and is now, I believe, preparing a booklet on 
the subject. 
I have before me some proof sheets of some articles which 
appeared some time ago in the “ Fruit Grower,” and it is 
clearly demonstrated that thrips, mealy bug, scale, and minor 
pest® can be eradicated by the use of cyanide gas. Mr. Straw- 
son’s advice is, “ Never allow the operator To be within the 
house To put, together the cyanide and acid, or to rei-enter the 
house until it has been thoroughly ventilated.” The house 
should not be closed for more than fifty minutes. 
The quantities given by “ W. ,S.” are greatly in excess of 
wliat Mr. Strawson has found necessary, and he and Mi*. Hawes, 
of the Botanic Gardens', probably know more about, cyanide 
gas as a, fumigant than any other men in the universe. 
Therefore', should any pest-ridden glass-house man contem¬ 
plate using this remedy, let him Well prime himself as to how _ 
it should be handled, for the fumes are as deadly as arsenical 
vapour, perhaps the most deadly gas known to science. 
W. 
I 1 ' a uit Prosi’ects in New Zealand. —The fruit, grower® in the 
Nelson district, New Zealand 1 , anticipate having a record crop 
this year. The export of Raspberries and Currants is now in 
full swing,'and the various gardens present a busy scene with 
the crowds of pickers at work. An exceptionally heavy crop of 
Pears and Apples is expected this season. Gooseberries can be 
had for the asking nearly everywhere. 
