536 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
July 2. 1904. 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Clianthus Dampieri.—This gorgeous-flowering shrub is not 
nearly so often grown in, gardens as, it once was, owing, no 
doubt, to its susceptibility to red-spider and other insect pests. 
To keep these depredators in check is no- easy task, but with 
close watchfulness and perseverance it may be done. Humid.ty 
in the- atmosphere- is, a deterrent to the* red-spider, and if this 
is not maintained in the structure wherein thei plants arei grow¬ 
ing, then, frequent syringing of the whole plant should be 
given. Now that the flowers are past is a good time to cut 
away any useless spray growth, taking caret to burn them ; 
then give the whole plant a thorough drenching with an insecti¬ 
cide, such .a,s' Gishurst Compound or quassia extract,. An 
occasional syringing afterwards with clear 1 or 1 soapy water will 
promote clean healthy growth. Seeds of this species may now 
be sown singly in 3-in. pots, and if well attended to in, their 
young state they will form' strong plants! before winter. 
Keep 1 gently growing all winter, and strong plants will result 
for potting on or for planting out ini confined borders! next 
spring. 
Hume a elegans.—Well-grown, plants of these are veiy effec¬ 
tive during the summer months! either 1 for arranging with 
other plants in the conservatory or for the flower garden. Sow 
the seeds the second week in the present month in pans, of 
light finely-sifted soil, and place in a, frame or pit to germinate. 
When the seedlings! are large! enough to handle-, pot off singly 
into thumb pots-, taking care- not to injure the roots at this or 
subsequent puttings. Rich porous soil and efficient drainage 
are essential factors to- success in, the cultivation of Hurneas, 
and at no- time should the roots become cramped in small pots ; 
on the other hand, they must not he over-potted. Keep gently 
growing in light frames or pits for the summer, and remove 
to a light, airy shelf in the greenhouse eiarly in the autumn 
before cold nights occur. Avo-id giving heavy waterings in- the 
dull days of winter, but whe-n the days begin to- lengthen ini 
the new year, then, is the time to re-pot and grow them on 
freely. The foliage -should not be syringed at any time. 
Begonias, tuberous rooted.—Plants raised from seed sown 
early this year will require a shift into the pots into which 
they are to- flower, as also will some of the older bulbs that 
werei placed in small pots. It is- well kno-wni that these- useful 
plants are gross feeders, and to do them well liberal culture- 
must be given throughout, their season of' active growth. The 
earliest potted-up. b-ulbs that are mow commencing to- flower 
should remain where they are. A compost that, answers well 
for the final potting consists of equal parts loam, leaf-soil, ard 
decayed manure-, adding a sprinkling of b-oue meal, sand, soot, 
- and artificial manure. It should-be used as lumpy as po-ssibb, 
and only pressed fairly firm with the finger's, but, ramming 
should no-t be resorted to. 
Winter-flowering varieties.—Gloire de Lorraine and its 
congeners should bei shifted on- into- larger pots as they become 
fit, and active- growth be maintained by genial atmospheric 
condition®, and an- occasional application, of liquid manure 
when the roots- reach thei sides of the pots. I am in. favour of 
growing this type of Begonias without- stopping any shoots, 
but they nrusit be supported with neat, stakes unless grown, in! 
baskets for draping. 
Euphorbias.—The two species that find most favour with 
gardeners are E. jacquinia.efl-o-ra and E. pulohetrrima, and it is 
safe to say that they are unequalled for the adornment of the 
stove in, winter, as well as-for house deoorationi. Cuttings 
that were struck early in- June will now bei ready for re-potting. 
The comport should consist of two parts good friable loam to one 
each'of decomposed manure and flaky leaf soil, adding plenty 
of sharp s-ahd and small no-dulesi of charcoal to ensure porosity! 
When, well established in, their flowering po-ts- the plants will 
doi well in, pits-, as then they obtain the- maximum amount o:i 
light and air to induce .sturdy growth. Take the precaution 
to- remove! to- a warm, light house early in autumn, as the loss 
of the lower leaves- so- often seen- may be attributed to- a tot 
lengthy sojourn in, cool pits at that time. As regards the us< 
of stimulants! for these plants great care is neces-saiy; indeed 
I am of opinion that 'by using compost, a,s- advised aho-ve, non* 
is nep&ssary until the flowering po-tsi are- full of healthy roots 
and then only such safe manure as farmyard drainings shoulc 
be applied. K. M. 
Among the Orchids. 
Sobralias.—There are about twenty-five or thirty specie® oj 
the genus Sobralia known, to- botanists, but there- are but fev 
that- are extensively cultivated. No- doubt one of the- chie, 
reasons for their want of favour in Orchid collections is the 
short duration, of the flo-wers, which in most cases fade after 
being open one day ; but as successive flo-wers are produced oi 
the flowering stems, some little compensation is thus afforded 
Thei habit of the Sobralias- isi very characteristic; they have 
no pseudoi-bulbs, and the stems are slender and reed-like 
hearing two- or more plaited leaves at the apex. The growth 
vary in stature from 3 ft. to 20 ft. in height. The medium 
growing kinds are the most in favour. They are exceedingly 
serviceable plants for furnishing warm conservatories of lofty 
dimensions!. In ferneries especially where- rockeries are pro¬ 
vided they co-me in most useful -for filling up a background 
hiding walls, or for effective positions, where they can be 
trained as; specimens. Thei flowers are produced singly frrni 
the top- of the stems- and in c-lo-se succession. The colours are : 
exceedingly variable, from the richest purple to- yellow anc 
white. 
The whole of the, species are natives of Tropical America, 
and they do-best, in an intermediate- temperature, or even will 
the- same conditions which are found suitable- for the C'attleyas 
Thei cultural requirements- arei not difficult, to provide when 
the plants' have become- re-established. When the -plants are 
procured in the first; place, I find it advisable- to- grow them in 
the plant stove or under similar conditions for the first, year 
or so until they have become somewhat established. They 
are us-ually vigorous growers, and being gross feeders they 
require liberal pot ro-om to allow the roots- free play. The, 
drainage must be free and ample, and as when the plants arej 
in- full growth and well rooted unlimited supplies of water 
are essential, I would suggest to- thei depth of one-fifth of the 
pot being filled with drainage. The potting compost should! 
consist of equal portions. of fibrous- loam and peat, with suffi¬ 
cient rough sand, added to render the compost porous. A layei 
of chopped sphagnum on, the surface gives a better appearance; 
and can, be added if desired. The'best time to- repot the plants; 
is when the new roo-tsi make their appearance from the base 
of the developing growths. The growth where plants thrive 
will sometimes 'become crowded; in such cases ii is- advisable, 
to- remove a portion of tho-s-e that have-•flowered ; this will gi' e 
more freedom and light, and the new growths- are benefited 
thereby. J 
Insect pests $re ‘troublesome, and where the atmosphere o 
the ho-use becomes a-t all dry, especially from fire-heat, red 
spider will generally make their appearance. Sponging the;, 
leaves- separately and syringing heavily, when condition*: 
permit, will he the best remedy to hold these in check. Thrips 
are best- destroyed by fumigation, or spraying with some tried 
insecticide. 
The best varieties for general purposes are the well-known 
S. macrantha, and its 1 varieties. S. m. kineastiana, is the P U1 ^ 
White form of S. macrantha. It is even more vigorous- and 
fine-fio-wering than, the typical variety, and is one of the few 
Sobralias, that last more than one day in, perfection, 
xamtholeuca,, the largest o-f the- yellow-flowered kinds; S. hica- 
siana, one of the darkest of the purple ; and the hybrid Sobraja 
