Miircl i 4, 1905. 
THE QaRDEHINQ WORLD 
177 
were reeled several in a GO or one in a thumb pot should lie 
potted on singly in 60’s, using a similar compost to that 
advised for cuttings. 
Montbretias can be planted out at any time now during a 
spell of mild weather, but care should be taken not to damage 
the tender young growths. A. E. Tiiatchkh. 
Aldenliam House Gardens, Elstree. 
Among the Orchids. 
Seasonable Remarks.— The lengthened days and the in¬ 
creasing power of the sunV rays render it advisable to have 
the roof blinds put into working order. It is a custom with 
many to remove the canvas blinds from the roof as soon as 
they may be dispensed with in the autumn ; this is an advisable 
discretion, as by so doing, if the blinds have been thoroughly 
dried before storing, it aids their durability considerably. 
Where this has been done it is advisable that the blinds 
should be fixed in position as soon as possible, so that they 
may be ready for use at any moment either for shading pur¬ 
poses, or, if used on cold nights, great benefits are derived 
bv the diminished artificial heat requirements. We have 
coverings to protect our blinds raised above thq roof ; this is 
a satisfactory method of winter storage, provided care is taken 
to have the blinds thoroughly dry before fastening them up 
for the winter. 
During late years considerable opinion has been expressed 
as to the best methods of shading. Many good judges advo¬ 
cate the old canvas shading, while others who are equally 
able to advance an opinion declare in favour of the lath roller 
or Bamboo lath shading. The best quality (painted) lath roller 
blinds have everything to recommend them from a point of 
durability. They ift'e also a most excellent covering for the 
houses in exposed positions cjuring cold periods in winter. It 
is really remarkable the amount of protection they afford, 
frequently making at least five degrees difference in the tem¬ 
perature of the house thus protected. I must confess that 
I am not so much in love with them for summer work. There 
is always a very sudden drop in temperature immediately 
after they have been run down ; this is caused by the air 
passing between the blind and the roof-, which creates a 
cooling surface to the glass, with a corresponding lowering 
of temperature inside. I merely point this out so that my 
readers who may have adopted lath blinds for shading may 
keep an eye on the. thermometer and thus be enabled by 
discreet use of the ventilation to guard against any possible 
ill effects. * 
Another objection raised against these blinds is that there 
is a tendency to produce drawn or weakly growth on such 
plants as Cypripediums, Odontoglossums, etc. There can be 
no doubt that where shading -is heavily done, that is to say, 
shading when there is no possibility of the sun scorching, 
these undesirable effects are produced. The majority of 
Orchids will stand, and are benefited by any amount of strong 
light ; therefore, whatever shading is used, if the application 
is made at periods when the blinds can well be dispensed 
with, what is to be expected from such methods but drawn 
foliage and weakly growth, whether it be Orchids or any 
class of plants? 
Cleansing the Glass. —- In the neighbourhood of large towns, 
and in smoky districts, where the smoke and winter fogs 
cause so much deposit on the roof glass, it is well now that 
such period is passed to have the glass thoroughly cleansed. 
My experience of many years in. one of the most thickly- 
populated parts of London enables me to sympathise with 
those who are situated under similar conditions, and are thus 
the more able to appreciate the more favoured conditions of 
purer atmospheric conditions. Every advantage should be 
taken of the available light, which will enable the plants to 
make a more robust commencement of growth, and also to 
produce better quality and more highly coloured tints of the 
flowers after they expand. 
The temperatures should now be gradually increased, 
especially when the rise of temperature can be produced bv 
the suns aid. ( hie should not be alarmed at Ml dog. no in 
temperature during tlie middle of the day. Do not rush to 
the ventilators. and admit draughts of cold wind in the 
endeavour to counteract sun heat, but rather diminish the 
fire heat to the lowest extent. II. J. Chapman. 
The Flower Garden. 
It is sometimes difficult to know how best to have an effec¬ 
tive display in autumn, as many beds which have done duty 
throughout the summer become unsightly at that season. We 
have, of course, a wide range of hardy border Chrysanthemums 
of beautiful colours which come in well in September, but 
some variation in the methods of filling beds for autumn effect 
is often welcome. For this purpose an excellent use may l>e 
made of certain herbaceous perennials, such as late Phloxes, 
Asters, Chrysanthemum maximum, etc. For using in the 
above way the plants just named should be treated in exactlv 
the same way as autumn-flowering Chrysanthemums. Cuttings 
may be taken from the old plants when from 2 in. to 3 in. 
long, and inserted in sandy soil either in boxes or pots. Place 
the cuttings in a cold frame, and keep close and shaded for a 
fortnight or three weeks. When sufficiently rooted the young 
plants may be potted off or planted in reserve beds. Phloxes 
succeed admirably when grown on in reserve beds, and stand 
removal well if watered before and after lifting. 
Asters I find do better if kept- in pots and pinched about 
twice during the summer. The Phloxes may be pinched if de¬ 
sired, but generally if left intact a fine head of flowers will be 
produced. If possible, choose varieties of telling colour, and 
I know of no variety which is more suitable than Cocquelicot; 
the colour is rich scarlet, and a large or small bed filled with 
this variety is of great- beauty in autumn. Varieties of per¬ 
ennial Asters are legion, but generally the earliest flowerers 
are best, and among others I have found Aeris, James Harris, 
Versicolor and Robert Parker veiy useful for this purpose. 
Chrysanthemum maximum, treated in this way, conies into 
flower later than established clumps, and affords a useful suc¬ 
cession to those in beds or borders permanently. 
Propagation. — With the advent of March considerable 
headway may be made with this work, as the growth on stock 
plants is now becoming stronger and suitable for making 
cuttings. Good batches of Iresines, Verbenas, Mesembryan- 
themum, Felantheras (Alternanthera) and dwarf Lobelias mav 
now be got in. Should propagating cases be scarce, a well- 
made hotbed answers just as well, as when rooted the cuttings 
can be boxed off and placed in frames. Dahlias placed in heat 
a few weeks ago are already sprouting, and the cuttings should 
be taken when about two joints are made. 
Seeds should be sown now of Ricinus communis, Cnicus'dia- 
cantha, Solanum marginatum, etc. B. W. J. 
Odontoglossum ramosissimum liliiflorum. 
The typical form of this species has white flowers, more or 
less thickly spotted with mauve-purple. The variety under 
notice differs chiefly ill colour, but that is so well marked as 
to give particular value to this form. The ground colour of 
all the segments is of a soft rosy-pink, and spotted with crim¬ 
son on the base of the segments. The sepals and petals are 
not very broad, but spread horizontally and distinctly wavy 
on the margins, giving the type and the variety a very char¬ 
acteristic appearance. Each of the crimson spots is sur¬ 
rounded by a white ring, which gives the spotting a beautiful 
ocellated appearance. The plant is more robust than the 
typical form, very beautiful indeed, but very scarce in cul¬ 
tivation. It was first introduced from New Granada many 
years ago. It was exhibited at the last meeting of the Royal 
Horticultural Society by Baron Schroder (gardener, Mr. H. 
Ballantine), The Dell, Egliam, who received a Botanical Cer¬ 
tificate for it. 
