November .26, 1904. 
TUB GARDENING WORLD. 
949 
On© is 'hardly sale in recommending varieties to plant out of 
such a bewildering list as we have now, coupled with the know¬ 
ledge that some varieties crop much better in certain localities 1 , 
but 'the undermentioned have good credentials as to cropping 
and flavour, and, what is more, will give a long succession for 
the kitchen and dessert table: 'Culinary—Eoklinvillei Seedling, 
Lord Suffield, Stirling Castle, New Hathornden, Warner’s 
King, Cox’si Pomona, Lane’s Prince Albert, Alfriston, Tower 
of Glamis, Bismarck, Bramley’s Seedling, and Newton Wonder. 
Dessert—Lady Sudeley, Beauty of Bath, Irish Peach, James 
Grieve, Kerry Pippin, Cox’s Orange, Ribston Pippin, Ameri¬ 
can Mother, Beauty of Tompkins County, Wyken Pippin, 
Christmas Pearmain, Fearn’s Pippin, Duke of Devonshire, 
Egremont Russet, Blenheim Orange', Adam’s Pearmain, and 
Stunner Pippin. Bush and pyramid trees should have 12 ft. 
to 15 ft. each way given them, standards! 20 ft. to 25 ft. 
apart, and espaliers 15 ft. to 18 ft. In planting, too much care 
cannot well be bestowed in spreading out the root®, and gently 
shaking the tree so that the soil works well in among them, 
and staking any that require it. Firm planting is essential 
to success, and I will reiterate once again, cut away any 
bruised roots before planting any fruit tree. 
Pears.—Much that has been, written, anent Apples, applies 
equally to Pears, except that some varieties require a wall to 
ripen satisfactorily. Unfortunately, we have but, few that come 
into use from the new year onwards, while through November 
we have a, glut, and this season, proves no exception, as Winter 
Nelis is quite fit for table now, and Doyenne du Cornice, that 
best of all Pears, has been done a fortnight. Both varieties 
pay for wall space, not necessarily isouth, east, or west suiting 
just as well. Glou Morceau and Passe Oraisisane are both 
excellent with us, but the Latter requires a warm soil to' finish 
satisfactorily. Beurre Superfin must be included in the best 
half-do,zen, ’as well as Marie' Louise', and for earlier varieties 
choose Williams’ Bon Chretien and Fondante d’automne, two 
lusciousi sort® while in season. Trees worked on the Quince 
thrive best, on shallow soils, but, they must be annually treated 
to rich top-dressings and pay for frequent applications of 
manure water during the summer months, and not being nearly 
so vigorous in growth, they may be planted much closer than 
trees on the free or Pear stock. Louise Bonne of Jersey, 
Josephine de Malines, Buerre Baltet Pere, Buerre Hardy, 
Mareehal de la, Cour, and Beurre Bose, are among the best 
to plant as an additional set. 
Pruning. — Take advantage of the mild weather, and make 
a start on the north walls first, a,s the leave® are all fallen 
from the tree® now. MoreHo Gharries usually occupy this 
position, and as these bear principally on wood made this 
season, lay in the shoots their entire length, unless it, is ne>- 
cessary toi replenish with an extra shoot; or two when cut back 
to the desired place. Young growth® ought, not, to be closer 
than 2 \ in., but there is no reason why the old bare wood should 
not he covered. Endeavour to keep breast wood or spur growths 
as near the facei of the wall ,asi possible, shortening back such 
shoots to the first eye of them origin. Examine all the ties 
and make good any that are decayed, and see that the shreds 
as well a® far twin© :i® not too tight; each shoot should be 
allowed ample space to increase in size. After the prunings 
are cleaned up, wash the tree with the engine or hose to remove 
dirt, rubbish, etc. 
The Fruit Room. —This is an interesting place just now in 
most establishments, although fruit is not keeping as well as 
one would expect after such a favoured summer, many Apples 
that were a bit spotty going off mouldy and decaying ; there¬ 
fore, give the- store frequent inspection, removing any that 
appear doubtful, and endeavour to keep the room as sweet 
as possible' by admitting a little fresh air on dry days, and 
keeping the structure as dark as possible'. 
James Mayne. 
Bicton, Devonshire. 
Readers’ Competition.- —Particulars of weekly prize see 
centre page. 
Among the Orchids. 
Sophronitis grandiflora.— There is no more charming 
subject among Orchids of miniature structure than this mid¬ 
winter flowering species. Where the plant® are well cultivated 
there isi very little difficulty about their flowering, providing 
the outside atmospheric conditions are free from the poisonous 
gaseis generally met with in the neighbourhood of large towns 
and in smoky manufacturing districts. Under such conditions 
all plant life suffers, to a greater or less degree. Tire obstruc¬ 
tion of light tells on the colour of the flowers, as well as dimin¬ 
ishing the size of individual blooms, but even with small 
flowers the plants seem to add a warmth and brightness to the 
surroundings that is almost felt when one first enters a house 
in which they are freely suspended from the roof. Undoubt¬ 
edly S. grandiflora, is purely a. cool bouse plant; it thrives far 
more satisfactorily suspended from the roof of the Odontoglox- 
sum house or even, the cool Cypripedium house than it does in 
any of the warmer divisions. 
I have found a great advantage when having had to grow 
the plants in. well-nigh a central position in London that a 
considerable difference can be obtained in. the size and sub¬ 
stance of the flowers by removing them from the cool house 
and placing them at the cool end of the Cattleya house, close 
to the glass. This should be done immediately after the 
growth has displayed the flower-bud within the unfolding leaf. 
T'hey should remain, until the flowers have become fully ex¬ 
panded, after which, if transferred to the, cool division, the 
flowers, last in perfection for several weeks 1 . The plants are 
easily procurable in an imported state, as they are annually 
imported in large, quantities during the winter and spring 
months. They do beet in well-drained pots or basket®,, where 
they may be suspended from the roof, the compost, consisting 
of about equal portions of leaf-soil, peat, and sphagnum moss, 
with a liberal sprinkling of coarse sand or broken, crocks added 
to render the whole porous. During the growing season— 
September to, March—the plants require liberal root moisture ; 
indeed, at no season of the year should they be permitted to 
suffer from want of moisture, for if allowed to become 
shrivelled it is a great difficulty indeed to induce such plants 
to regain, their normal structure, and it is quite possible to 
kill the plant outright,. Small scale and tlirips are sometimes 
troublesome, but where kept under by constant observation 
they are easily held ini cheek without serious damage being 
done. There are one or two varieties of S. grandiflora, in cul¬ 
tivation, also two other specie® in S. cernua and S. violacea, but 
for utility and beauty they do not, compare with the subject 
of this note. 
In hybridists’ hands S. grandiflora has proved most useful in 
the production of bigeneric hybrids between species of Cat¬ 
tleya,si, Laelias, and the hybrids between' the Cattleya® and 
Laelia®. I well remember when the first of its hybrids 
flowered—namely, Sophroeattleya, batemaniana (S. grandiflora, 
x C. intermedia.). It caused a sensation among orchidist® of 
the time, and I have no doubt drew a number of hybridists’ 
attention to the possibility to* be derived from its use, which 
have been apparent from the numerous additions that, have 
appeared, and are now frequently appearing. Although they 
are not likely ever to become fashionable or a great deal sought, 
after, they are most interesting and desirable additions to the 
miniature-structured plants. They undoubtedly do, best in a, 
cool intermediate house temperature where there is a liberal 
amount of atmospheric moisture at, all seasons of the, year. 
I have in previous numbers of The Gardening World drawn 
attention to Epiphronitis Veitehii (Epidendrum radicans x S. 
grandiflora). This is by far the most useful and beautiful of 
the Sophronitis crosses that has yet appeared, and where a 
suitable position to meet its requirement® are found it increases 
to a remarkable' extent, and where clumps of growth can be 
placed together and induced to flower at the same time, it is 
most attractive and exceedingly useful for exhibition purposes. 
H. J. 
