377 
THE GARDEN I NO WORLD. 
wreathed with their countless numbers of white blossoms they 
are, indeed, striking. They probably make the best, display 
when cultivated as standards with stems 6 ft. or more in length. 
Being fairly quick growers, they soon make a well-formed head 
and will succeed in almost any kind of soil. A. vulgaris is, 
with us, the first to flower, being followed in about a week 
by A. canadensis, which is quite distinct, having silvery leaves 
when in, a young state. There are also some little-known, 
varieties which .should be more largely grown, as they give a 
succession of bloom for some time. These include A. oligo- 
carpa, which flowers immediately after A. canadensis, A. alni- 
folia, and, lastly, A. asiatiea, which is a distinct, upright 
grower, and does not open its flowers tiU'well into May. It 
will therefore be seen that these later-flowering sorts are well 
worthy of the attention of English planters. 
A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Els tree. 
Among the Orchids. 
Cypripedium niveum. —It is now very rarely that this lovely 
Orchid isi imported, and as it is not the easiest among the 
Cypripediums to retain in a normally vjgorous state of health 
for many years after importing, the plants are generally in 
great demand when importations are offered for sale'. In, 
addition to its beauty it has proved one of the most successful 
parents used in the production of hybrids, and as there .still 
remains ample room for many more desirable additions in thisi 
class, they usually sell readily. When grown under ordinary^ 
conditions they usually thrive well for the.first season or two, 
then they show signs of diminution and quickly pas® fronri 
this state into a worthless condition. 
The secret of this state of affairs can only- be a want of suit¬ 
able conditions, which conditions can only be found by ener¬ 
getic observations to find out a position in which they are best 
accommodated, and treatment, such as applying moisture, pot- 
:ing, etc. Treatment which is a success under particular con¬ 
ditions and surroundings will not apply in other qases, and 
therefore no hard and fast lines can be laid down that will 
tssure certain success in cultivation. It is thus apparent that, 
uccess or failure depends, to a very great extent on. the: care 
drown the plants by those who undertake the: duties of supply- 
ng their needs. I have often found that in. plant cultivation 
rersonal observations in acquiring desirable conditions go a> 
rreat. deal further than advice of an expert where they are not 
ully acquainted with the prevailing conditions under which the 
objects have to be treated. With this statement it will be 
ratent to my readers that although I may give particulars of 
reatment which I have found most successful, it may not be 
■qually advantageous'in other cases, and therefore considerable 
liscretion is necessary by- those in charge of the plants. 
I have always found that the whole of this section of Cypripe- 
tiums do best with a small amount of potting compost about 
he roots. Tire drainage must be clean and ample—a little 
ime rubble mixed with it will be found advantageous, the 
j retting compost, of equal portions of fibrous yellow loam antj. 
; rroken lime rubble made firm. 1 have also, found that it" is 
dvantageous to. place the. plants in a position where they may 
e close to the light; therefore shallow pans or baskets are the 
liiost convenient, as the suspenders may be easily attached and 
he plants hung well up to the roof-glass. During the growing 
j eason ample root moisture is necessaiy. This should not bei 
Horded overhead, but the pots dipped so as to thoroughly 
j noisten the compost without wetting the growths or foliage, 
n winter, when, the plants are practically in a dormant state., 
ittle root moisture is necessary, only sufficient need be afforded 
o retain the foliage in a plump state. As soon as the flowers 
eminence to advance, plenty of water must be again afforded 
nd continued unt.il the new growths get well away from the. 
ompost. As autumn approaches less water is necessary, and 
he plants can be removed from the stove to the conditions of 
he intermediate house, where they are best wintered. Do 
not repot oftener than is absolutely necessary. It is surprising 
how well these plants thrive when their roots have got. into a 
matted state. In nature they are. found growing with the. roots 
matted together on rocks where there is only a small layer of 
soil, and the only- sustenance they- appear to. receive is the. slight 
accumulation of vegetable matter which is washed by heavy 
rains from the higher grounds, and on this accumulation the 
root® become so matted - that yonsiderabfe difficulty is 
experienced in dislodging them. H. J. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Celery. — The earliest sowings should now be ready-, after 
being properly hardened, for planting in the trenches which 
have been prepared some time previously. The soil should be 
thoroughly broken up, and make quite firm by treading. Lift 
the plants carefully with a garden trowel, pliant with a. good 
ball in single lines, allowing a distance of 10 in. to 15 in., 
according to the variety being planted. Naturally, the taller 
the variety the more distance will be required. Give a 
thorough watering in, and the plants should be damped over¬ 
head every bright afternoon, applying a small dusting of fresh 
soot in early morning once a week. 
Prepare trenches' for later plantings as the ground becomes 
accessible, and complete the pricking out of very late sowings 
if not already done. 
Celeriac or Turnip-rooted Celery requires a long season of 
growth to ensure good-sized bulbs. This should he planted on 
a well-enriched flat piece of ground, a south or west border for 
preference, as soon a® possible. Plenty of room should be 
allowed, 2 ft. from row to row and 18 in. from plant to plant 
being none too much. This will require heavy drenchings of 
both .liquid manure and clear water all through the. growing 
season, and the surface soil should be kept constantly stirred 
with the Dutch hoe. 
Beetroot. —Two good sowings should be made during the 
present month. The site which this is to occupy will have, 
been determined some time previously and properly prepared ; 
as is generally known, no manure of any kind should be given 
during the present year. Land which was occupied last, season, 
with Celery always forms .just the spot for Beetroot., which 
should have been deeply trenched during early spring. Beet¬ 
roots are frequently grown too large, which may generally be 
attributed to sowing the seed too early, the ground being too. 
rich, or bad strains are grown. Smaller varieties, such as 
Dell’s, should be sown, during the early part of the month, and 
the larger and more robust varieties from the. loth to the 20th. 
It will be necessary on harsh, stubborn soils., when handsome 
specimens are required for exhibition, to prepare soil and holes 
by boring much in the. same way as. previously recommended 
for Parsnips and Carrots. The rows should be 18 in. asunder 
and the holes 15 in. apart. Give a good dressing of soot and 
wood ashes, and where sparrows abound it will be. wise to. 
protect the seed-bed with netting, a® these have a particular 
liking for young plants just as they appear above the soil. 
French Beans. —Make a pood sowing of Ne Plus .Ultra and 
Canadian Wonder on a south border. 
Scarlet or Runner Beans. —These may now safely be sown, 
but I much prefer to. raise them in boxes either in a. cool house 
cr cold frame. Thoroughly harden and plant out just as the 
second growth commences, as by so doing one. has the. plants 
under much better control both against frost, slugs, a.nd snails, 
which often, in spite of every precaution taken, work sad havoc 
among the young seedling plants. That magnificent new 
variety, Hackwood Success, should be. grown by all who are in 
a. position to procure it ; having grown it last year I can vouch 
for its being one of the finest varieties yet raised. 
Cauliflowers.- —Plants of early forcing, which are being 
grown in 8-in. pots, will now be forming their heads, and will 
need much feeding and plenty of moisture at the. root. Good 
farmyard liquid manure is the best stimulant I know for these. 
