926 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
November 19, 1904. 
Among the Orchids. 
Cypripediums. — The winter-flowering Cypripediums are 
among the most popular Orchids with pievonit-day cultivators-. 
It is remarkable to what- extent the varieties of Cyp-ripedium 
inoigne engage th-eur attention. Perhaps no- better iilu'sitration 
could be given of this contention than the meeting held by 
the 11 oval Horticultural Society a-t- the Drill Hail, Westminster, 
when one amateur alone exhibited mo less than 500 blooms in 
his group. In, addition to> this there were several Large groups 
where the varieties of C. imsiigme, and the varieties of hybrids 
derived from its influence- as a parent, were dominant. With 
such an exhibition, Orchid growers might well submit for the 
consideration of the council that a meeting should be set , 
apart for a special -exhibition of these plants. I am sure such 
a meeting would be popular, and with the advantages afforded 
by tire new hall the risk would not be nearly -so great, should 
the climatic- conditions need consideration, ais- was the case 
previously. I mention this as -a passing thought; perhaps 
others would express am opinion on the subject, for which I 
anr sure our worthy editor would welcome any comments on • 
the matter, and would afford a reasonable discussion through 
the columns of The Gardening World. 
The claims -of the winter-flowering Cypripediums I have 
endeavoured to uphold in past years-’ notes to the “ G. W.” 
Orchid column. 1 cannot let the season pass without pointing 
out to amateurs who grow Orchids only in limited number’s, 
of tbo-siei commencing to form a.collection, some of the advan¬ 
tages these plants have over more showy -subjectis-, to which 
those uninitiated in Orchid culture usually are attracted. 
How many have commenced, with all good intentions of form¬ 
ing a collection of Orchids, with the purchase of Cattleyas," 
Dendrohiums, or some East Indian -subjects, because they have 
a more attractive tint, and halve found out they -have not the 
facilities for their culture, or they have conie to the conclusion 
because such plants have proved a- failure tlia-t it is impossible 
for them to grew Orchids', and lia-ve- thrown them up in dis¬ 
gust-. I know many woulcl-be Orchid cultivators among ama¬ 
teurs abstain, -for -some unaccountable reason, from seeking 
advice, either from an. Orchid grower or through queries in 
the gardening press', one and all of which provide a. column 
through which all such questions are answered as to the kinds 
which would be the most suitable for cultivation under the par¬ 
ticular conditions available. If such advice were sought more 
often, Orchid cultivation would be advanced far -more quickly 
(rap-id as it is). If there is one section of Orchids that can be 
recommended to give satisfaction where means and space are 
limited, it is the winter-flowering section -of Cypripediums. 
They commence flowering early in October, they remain in 
bloom for a, considerable period, and with a, little selection 
plants could be procured for a. modest outlay of a. few shillings 
each, which would give a. succession of flowering plants through¬ 
out the winter months. Such advantages can scarcely be 
procured from any class- -of plants with the small means ne¬ 
cessary for their cultivation. 
Anyone having a- -greenhouse where the temperature can be 
retained at a normal 55 degrees haisi the facilities for the 
cultivation of this section of Cypripedi m. The moisture in 
the atmosphere is not so great during winter; damping the 
floors once a, day is sufficient- with this temperature in winter. 
With the warmer conditions prevailing during the summer 
months, little or no fire heat is necessary, a-nd as the plants, in 
mo-st cases, make their growth during the summer months, t-he 
extra requirements are easily provided. Those more advanced 
in the cultivation -of these -plants will find the present- season 
a go-o-d one to select the kinds that they may think' suitable 
for their purpose, while the plants are seen in flower; and if 
a note is made, it is not a difficult matter to- secure a plant 
when favourable opportunities are -offered. It is remarkable 
h-ow soon one becomes interested, with which develops the true 
science of selection. The exhibition® and establishments where 
the plants are grown give the best advantages for the purpose. 
H. J. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Peas. —Where means and convenience can be found, a good 
sowing of suitable varieties sbo-uld at once be -made in 8 in. or 
10 in. po-tsi, or fairly deep boxes-, about 9 in, in wddth, and the 
same in depth. Either should be well drained, and a good 
compost of fibrous loam, three parts; sifted old mushroom- 
bed manure, -one part ; well decayed leaf soil, one part; and 
suflici-einiti road grit- to- make it porous. To every bushel of 
soil add a forty-eight sized po-tful of bone meal. The pots 
or boxes should be about three parts tilled, leaving sufficient 
room to- mould up- the young plants when large enough. Make 
moderately firm, -sowing the seed about as thick again as ne¬ 
cessary, thinning them out to- the required distance imme¬ 
diately the young growths are above the soil. Thoroughly 
wa-t-er in, and raise in a- cold frame or cool house. No attempt 
a-t undue forcing must be resorted to, or the growths will be¬ 
come weakened, and the- results far from satisfactory. Even 
though one nra-y not- possess sufficient glass to- perfect the crop, 
if facilities can be found for wintering them, these may, after 
the severest weather is- past, be- placed in a- warm, sheltered 
position, and splendid cro-ps, far in advance of any sown in 
the open in the spring, will result-. I am not- so much in favour 
of the- v-eay dwarf kinds for this purpose, as the yield from 
such is far les-s than from those which attain a moderate 
height, and generally the varieties such as Gradus, Early Morn, 
and Edwin Beckett are- far superior in quality to- the first early 
dwarf kinds. 
Broad Beans.—For some reason or other these are not cul¬ 
tivated under gla-ss nearly so largely a-s they deserve, many 
failing to get a good -set-, but there is no reason whatever, if 
the points of -the growths are- pinched out immediately suffi¬ 
cient- flower buds show, and the plants- are placed in a- light 
position where abundance of air can reach them when in flower, 
that- these should not yield equally a-s well as when sown in 
the open ground. The- seed should be sown now, and treated 
in the same way a-s Peas, and I kn-o-w of no variety which can 
surpass a go-o-d st-c-ck -of Carter’s- Leviathan. 
French Beans.—Where a- succession of this estimable vege- 
table- li-a-s to be- kept up, frequent sowing, at least- -once a fort¬ 
night, should be made through the winter, and much care 
will b-ei necessary at this season, and -onward for some time, to 
keep them healthy, and in a- bearing state. A moist, gentle 
beat of from 50 deg. to 55 de-g. will be required, and the 
lightest place possible assigned to them. Red Sp-ider often 
causes a- lot- of trouble when these are .cultivated under glass-, 
and frequent Sdren-chings of the- foliage with tepid water must 
b-e resorted t-o-. Tlio-se which are- in bearing should receive 
liquid manure-water every other watering, and the Beans 
regularly picked as so-o-n- as lit for use. Canadian Wonder i-s 
a- capital variety for winter work, as it possesses a robust con¬ 
stitution and is a prolific bearer. 
Lettuce. —Tie up at frequent intervals the strongest plants, 
which are now protected in cold frames. Prick off young 
plants- as they become ready into -boxes, which have been raised 
un-der gla-ss, a-nd sow more seed o-f those varieties, such as 
Harbinger, which are known to answer well to gentle forcing. 
Se t-kale.— This will now be found to force much more 
readily than lia-s hitherto- been the ease, and the bulk of the 
crowns should now be lifted and stored in sand or ashes for 
use a,s required. 
Rhubarb. —Introduce to heat go-o-d quantities of t-he earliest 
varieties in the warmest part of the Mushroom house. Keep 
as dark a-s possible, and syringe twice daily. It will be well 
also to- get up a- good quantity of roots, an-d store away in a- 
place of safety in ea-se of severe weather. 
