132 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 18, 1905. 
Hardy Herbaceous Border. 
Seasonable Notes. — As February advances many subjects 
commence to show signs of active growth, and it will be ad¬ 
visable to look through the borders and see what plants need 
protection from the ravages of slugs and other pests, as these 
are very busy now that a spell of mild weather has set in. 
this is particularly noticeable with the young shoots of her¬ 
baceous Phloxes, which are quickly pushing through the soil, 
and any new or good varieties which the grower may desire to 
have at their best through the coming summer should have a 
few finely sifted cinder-ashes placed round and among the 
growths. By so doing much disappointment may be averted, 
and any other plants to which slugs are partial should be 
treated in the same way either now or when the young shoots 
caii be seen. 
the Eremuri will also be pushing through the surface in a 
week or so, and we find it advisable to give a good covering 
of ashes or soil, which will protect them against further frost 
or cold winds, which greatly mar the beauty of the foliage. 
During recent years this class of plants has been greatly im¬ 
proved and enlarged, and as they succeed in the majority of 
soils if well worked, a few should be grown in all select borders 
of hardy plants. For cut flowers they are, of course, of little 
value, but when planted in a prominent position so that the 
tall spikes rise above the lower occupants, a very fine effect 
can be produced, and they continue in bloom for a long period. 
It is essential, when planting, to buiy the crowns well beneath 
the surface, a foot not being too deep, as they will then be 
out of the way of frost. A little tine soil should be placed 
round the roots, and the planting is best done in spring. If 
the crowns are of medium size they will need two or three 
years to become well established, and should not be disturbed. 
Plants under glass should by this time be showing signs of 
active growth, and all the air possible should be admitted in 
tine weather, removing the lights entirely on sunny days. The 
surface soil, which may have become green and stale, should 
be stirred with a pointed stick, the lights well washed if dirty, 
and everything done to promote healthy, free growth. Any 
dead leaves should be picked off the Violas and a dusting of 
sulphur given if mildew makes its appearance. If one desires 
to propagate summer-flowering Chrysanthemums, the young 
tops can be taken off now, inserted in a light soil, and placed 
in a gentle heat till rooted, after which they should be placed 
in a cold frame and thoroughly hardened. 
The Double Primroses.— Among the many beautiful early 
flowering plants suitable for the rockery or edge of the border, 
the double varieties of Primula acaulis easily take a foremost 
place if they can be induced to grow and flower freely, but un¬ 
fortunately one seldom sees a good collection of them nowa¬ 
days. This is, no doubt, owing to the peculiar habit many of 
them have of succeeding for two or three years and then dying 
oft' without any apparent reason. The cause is said by some 
to be a leaf disease, which is probably correct. If their re¬ 
quirements'are studied, however, I think one will not have 
much trouble with them. We find them succeed well in good 
loam and a partially shaded position, and they grow much 
more vigorously if parted up annually. A thorough drainage is 
essential, and I have seen several of the varieties used with 
marked success for edging when planted between stones where 
the soil was moist but did not become stagnant or water¬ 
logged. Croussei plena, alba plena, rosea plena, lutea plena 
purpurea plena, and the old double crimson (rubra plena) are 
all exceedingly pretty and very free flowering. A very fine 
single is Miss Massey, with large flowers of an intense crimson 
colour. This also succeeds well under the above conditions. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. A. E. Thatcher. 
Among the Orchids. 
Cattleyas and Laelias. —Cattleya Trianaei will in most 
cases now have either expanded their flowers or have them in 
a prominent bud state. ' There is always a difficulty at this 
season of the year, when high winds are, prevalent, in retaining 
the flowers in a satisfactory condition after they have become 
fully expanded, the longer days and brighter sunlight neces¬ 
sitating more atmospheric moisture, which if not properly 
condensed by the time the lower evening temperatures are 
reached will be almost certain to cause damp-spotting of the 
floral segments. In some cases it may be only minute, in 
others the disfiguring spots will render the flowers absolutely 
useless. It is not the easiest matter possible to avoid these 
undesirabilities, for if the conditions suitable for the expanded 
flowers are provided, one gets unsatisfactory results from the 
buds developing, and the plants starting into active growth 
are also liable to be affected. It is desirable, therefore, that 
to retain the flower in good condition a portion of the house 
should be set apart for their accommodation, where the damp¬ 
ing may be to some extent dispensed with and the conditions 
thereby made less subject to cause damp-spotting. Where a 
house is set apart for plants in flower, the difficulty is prac¬ 
tically disposed of, as the necessary conditions are thus more 
readily provided. 
The white varieties of Laelia anceps, 'such as L. a 
Schroderae, L. a. Stella, L. a. sanderiana, L. a. Williamsii, etc. 
which should be about their best now, are particularly sub¬ 
jected to damp spotting. A good method of overcoming tlu 
difficulty with these is to remove them to the resting house 
Cooler conditions, providing they are accompanied with cor¬ 
responding reduction in the- atmospheric moisture, are de 
suable for the plants as soon as tire flowers have expanded, anc 
certainly help to retain the plants in flower for a- longer time 
The whole of the L. anceps should be placed under resting 
conditions immediately after the flower-scapes have been re 
moved. Only sufficient root moisture will now be necessan 
to retain the pseudo-bulbs and foliage in a plump state, tin 
white varieties especially requiring a thorough ripening t< 
induce them to produce satisfactory results. They may hi 
given every advantage to be procured from the full force of tin 
sun’s rays; even in the brightest days of summer onlysuffi 
cient shade is necessary to prevent actual scorching of tin 
foliage. Repotting requirements should be deferred until th 
new roots make their appearance and the plants are starter 
into- growth. 
Vanda teres. — This plant is not so extensively cultivated 
as its merits deserve. 1 The exhibition that has been made a 
the Temple Show in recent years is perhaps the best recoin 
mendation of its qualities as a decorative subject. The lovel; 
lilac-tinted flowers, have a most charming effect for di'nnei 
table decorations that even the Cattleyas in their grandeu 
cannot excel. Like most terete-foliaged Orchids, the}" re 
quire a great amount of strong light, but this period beim 
through the summer and autumn months of the year, thes 
requirements are readily provided, as is also the dry or rest 
ing period through the winter months. Growers differ in thei 
systems of treatment. Some cut away the leafless and lowe 
portions of the stem about the present season—that is, jus. 
before the plants show signs of renewed activity and produc 
their flower-scapes. Others defer potting requirements unti 
the plants pass out of flower. I would prefer the latter, a 
by letting the plants remain as they have grown they are th 
more readily brought into close contact with the light, am 
more satisfactory results are obtained. Care must be observe- 
not to treat the- plants too liberally until the flower-scapes ar 
protruding; after this they may be afforded humid condition- 
and be liberally syringed in bright weather. Vanda liookeri 
ana and the hybrid V. Miss Joaquim, derived from the intei 
'crossing of the above-mentioned species, are particular!; 
worthy of cultivation also. The sunny end or side of 
Banana house suits this class of plants well. 
H. J. Chapman. 
