■September 24, 1904. 
THE GARDENING WORLD , 
i O , 
the conditions that they so much enjoy at this time, viz., cool, 
dewy nights 1 with warmth from the sun during the clay, may 
be easily maintained] when placed in glass structures, and ono 
lias the satisfaction of knowing they are safe in the event of 
very sharp' frosts, which may occur nightly at any time. 
K. M. 
Hardy Trees and Shrubs. 
Beautiful and Rare Japanese Shrubs. — Among the multi¬ 
tude of trees and shrubs suitable' for planting in English gardens 
there are probably none more worthy of inclusion than those 
■which we have received from Japan, though many of them 
arc extremely rare and but little known in this country, owing 
to the difficulties experienced in collecting them until recently. 
There are a considerable number which have' been cultivated in 
these islands for several years, and havei therefore proved their 
hardiness, and tan be recommended for general planting. 
During the last few years a very large number have been 
collected by Messrs. James Veitch, which are being grown 
and tested by them, and though many of them are not yet 
offered to the public, one would do well to note the cut branches 
and dried specimens which they occasionally exhibit, for we 
shall in the near future undoubtedly be able to obtain many 
very beautiful additions. Considering the very different 
climate in which some grow in their native habitat, it is sur¬ 
prising that they will succeed so well on a cold clay soil and 
exposed position such as we have here, but that they will is 
proved by the dimensions some have attained. 
I have before mentioned several of the varieties of Acer 
Dalmatian and japonioum, and had Japan contributed nothing 
but these we could have been well satisfied, for no shrubs have 
more beautiful leaf colouring, or are more variable in form, 
and several are unsurpassed for the beauty of their autumn 
tints. Among other species, however, are A. carpinifolium, 
A. diabolicum, and A. rufinerve. 
A. carpinifolium, which has attained a height of over T ft., 
and i ft', through with us, is a singularly distinct shrub, and 
at first, sight appears to be a Hornbeam, so. similar is. the 
foliage.. A. diabolicum is very pleasing, owing to the distinct 
colour and beautifully formed leaves. This is. a compact - 
grower and now about. 5 ft. high. A. rufinervei is a more 
spreading bush, and the variety albo-limbatum is conspicuously 
marked with white or creamy variegation. 
Of the several fine Dogwoods from Japan, Cornnsi brachypoda. 
is the best, and will undoubtedly make a fine tree in this 
country. The branches, which are, arranged hi: tiers, form a 
handsome head, and it grows very freely; in fact, quite as well 
as the- American C. florida. Of this species there is a veiy fine 
variety, C. brachypoda variegata, which is one of the most 
striking shrubs in existence. There is more white colouring- 
than, green in the foliage, and the. branches are a distinct red 
colo-ur. Whether C. macrophylla. is synonymous or not with 
0. brachypoda remains: to be proved; at all events, the two 
resemble each other very closely. With C. Ivons a. we have 
not succeeded quite so well as the, other Cornels, this district 
being, in all probability, too cold, but in many other parts of 
the coamtiy it. forms a very handsome small tree. Cleroden- 
dron trichotomum is one of the most handsome of flowering 
shrubs, and when well established it makes a very large and 
effective bush. It is specially valuable on account of its late¬ 
ness in flowering, this being at the present time; and the dark 
green, tropical-looking foliage and numerous red and white 
flowers make it. one of our best specimens. It is impatient of 
removal, but is easily propagated by the root suckers. 
Another remarkably fine shrub is Cercidiphvllum japonicum, 
which grows freely here, and has now reached a, height, of 8 ft. 
to 9 ft. Of this shrub there appear to be two, forms, the 
one having very beautiful deep red foliage in spring, and the 
other is hardly coloured at all. One form also is, a, quick 
grower and makes a somewhat, upright, close-growing tree ; 
this is the red-leaved form ; while the other is. much slower, 
with very little spring colouring, and seems inclined to make 
a low, spreading bush. 
From this country, so rich in trees, and shrubs', there are two 
line Birches, the one being Betula Ermannii, which makes a 
well-formed specimen with pale green foliage. The other, B. 
maximo.wiczii, is quite distinct and by far the. best Birch 
with which I am, acquainted. The foliage’is larger than that 
of any other species, and a rich dark green in, colour, while the 
bark is a pleasing contrast, being orange, and quite smooth. 
Carpinus cordata is the best of the Hornbeams', having large, 
beautifully formed leaves', but our plant, has not yet borne any 
catkins. 
Staehyurus. praecox does not flower in a, young state, and 
though it loses its foliage here ini the winter, it is worth grow¬ 
ing fmr the beauty of this alone. 
A very ornamental shrub seldom seen is Daplmiphyllum, 
glauceiscans, with large, glaucous foliage; and another quite 
rare hr English gardens is Disanthusi cercidifolia, which is re¬ 
markable for the beauty of its autumn tints. It succeeds 
well here, and in. some respects resemble® Cercidiphyllum 
japonioum. Very distinct in habit, leafage and habit are the 
Linderas, though they have. not. flowered with us. 
Several of the Japanese Magnolias, fairly well known, and 
all very beautiful, are stellata and its pink variety, parviflora 
and Watsonii. There are many others, but space, will not 
allow mention of them; I shall, however, hope to. refer to the 
trees and shrubsi of Japan again. A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree 1 . 
Among the Orchids. 
Odontoglossum Uro-Skinneri ; . -Although one of the oldest 
species in, cultivation, it is by no means plentiful in collections. 
It, is a plant that is well worthy of the attention of amateurs. 
It possesses a robust, and vigorous constitution:, and will be 
found to grow admirably under tlie same conditions as that 
adapted for the Odontoglossum crisp,um and its allied genera. 
It produces its flowers during the late summer months at a 
season' when very few other Odontoglots are blooming, and it 
makes a. useful and attractive plant, and the flowers lart some 
time in perfection. This species does not require to be re¬ 
potted oftener than is really necessary, so that, when repotting 
is done the potting] compost should have due consideration, and 
only material of good quality should be used, such as may be 
likely to, keep in good condition, for at least two. seasons. 
I am well aware that, the retaining qualities of the potting 
compost will depend on the manner in which moisture is pro¬ 
vided, but where carelessness ini watering has to be taken into 
consideration it would scarcely be within the scope, of this 
column. The recommendation., therefore, "will only apply to 
reasonable 'treatment of the plants. During the active season 
of growth liberal moisture may be afforded, but the pseudo- 
bulbs and foliage being of a particularly thick nature, they 
withstand a considerable amount of drought without injury at 
the dormant season. 
The stock may be increased by divisions of the pseudo-bulbs. 
This is best done at the time the plants are commencing to 
make new growth. If the rhizomes are divided between the 
hack bulbs at the commencement of growth, the hack bulbs 
will have sufficiently advanced their breaks that they may be 
easily separated at the proper potting season and potted singly, 
or they may be placed together and thus form larger specimens. 
The variety 0. Uro-Skinnerii album is a very attractive 
plant, whose pure white flowers, except the yellow disc in the 
centre of the Iabellum, make it a most attractive and desirable 
addition,. It. has 1 been a, verv scarce plant until the last few 
years, but it. has. been extensively divided and is. by no, means 
uncommonly met with in. collection. 
0. bicto,nen.se and 0. b. album are not so often met with in 
railtivatio.nl as they were a decade n™o. They do, well under 
the same cultural conditions as O. Uro-Skinnerii. but durum' 
the winter they are best accommodated in, the cool end of the 
rattleya house. If retained in the, cool division, the Miarm 
usually becomes spotted and renders an unsightly appearance 
of the foliage. 
