; 708 
THE GARDE HI NO WORLD. 
September 9; 1905. 
ding purposes there are few subjects which 
surpass it. To obtain the best results, how¬ 
ever, the stems should be pruned hard down 
to the ground annually in very early spring, 
and strong, healthy growth, between 4 ft. 
and 5 ft. in height, with very large leaves, 
is then obtained. For grouping, especially 
by the water-side, this is an exceedingly fine 
shrub. A very good effect is also pioduced 
by planting this and the variegated Negundo 
in a bed alternately, the intense purple of the 
one and the pale green and white of the other 
making a very pleasing contrast. C. Avel- 
lana aurea is a brightly-coloured golden form, 
somewhat resembling the golden Alden m 
general appearance, and well worth planting, 
as it retains its colour till the leaves fall. 
C. Avellana laciniata has very ornamental 
foliage, deeply laciniated, and C. A. lretero- 
phylla has leaves very variable in shape, both 
making good-si?ed shrubs. It is sometimes 
necessary to shorten back the branches, and 
this should be done about the end of March. 
C. calyculata.—The most interesting pait 
of this shrub is the fruit, or, more correctly, 
the husks which enclose it. These are much 
longer than the Nut, and recurve, and when 
produced in bunches are highly interesting. 
C. Colurna, the Constantinople Nut, which 
has very large foliage, is seen to the best ad¬ 
vantage when grown as a standard, and makes 
a well-shaped head. A- E. T. 
Orchids for Amateurs. 
Bifrenaria. — A genus of intermediate-house- 
Orchids, possessing good constitutions and 
suitable subjects for the attention of amateurs. 
Thev do well under the same conditions as 
Lycastes, under which genus several varieties, 
especially the variety B. Hamsoniae, is best 
known in gardens. The smaller kinds, owing 
to their dwarf structure, are suitable for cul¬ 
tivation in baskets ; the larger and more vigor¬ 
ous growing kinds should be grown in large 
shallow pans. They are not, as a rule, deep 
rooting plants, and therefore do not require 
a great bulk of potting compost about them. 
The drainage therefore should be clean and 
ample, filling at least two-thirds of the re¬ 
ceptacle. They are, as a rule, compact-grow- 
ing plants, and therefore do not require too 
much pot room, and when once they have 
become established they should not be dis¬ 
turbed for repotting, unless the compost has 
become decayed, of the plant requires more 
It is advisable to overhaul the plants annu¬ 
ally, so that any decayed matter may be re- 
moved that may be about the base of the 
pseudo-bulbs, at the same time removing de¬ 
composing material and replacing it with 
fresh compost. The potting compost suitable 
consists of equal portions of fibrous peat and 
living sphagnum moss. The best time to 
attend to repotting requirements is when the 
new roots make their appearance at the base 
of the newly-developed or developing growth. 
They require liberal watering during the 
active growing season, and until the pseudo¬ 
bulbs are matured. During the resting period, 
when the plants are in a dormant state, only 
sufficient root moisture is necessary to keep 
the pseudo-bulbs and foliage in a plump state. 
Odontoglossum Uro-Skinnerii is one of the 
most distinct and desirable of our late sum¬ 
mer-flowering Orchids. Like many other 
deserving species of Orchids, owing to their 
not being in the particular fashion to which 
Orchid cultivators confine their particular 
tastes, this species is not so extensively cul¬ 
tivated as its merits deserve. It is rarely 
indeed seen now in the specimen plants at 
exhibitions where a few yeai’s ago it was 
highly appreciated at the late summer shows. 
Where the conditions suitable for its require¬ 
ments are afforded there is no species that 
grows more freely or gives a better return, for 
it is exceedingly free-flowering and lasts for 
several weeks in perfection after the flowers 
commence to expand. There is not a great 
variation in the species, the white O. Uro- 
Skinnerii album being the most striking of 
the varieties. It is a very scarce plant, and 
therefore more expensive to procure than the 
typical form. 
The conditions of the cool Orchid house suit 
them well, growing under the same conditions 
as O. crispum, where an average temperature 
of from 50 to 55 degrees can be maintained 
throughout the year. The compost used in 
potting is the same as that recommended from 
time to time for the cool-house Orchids. The 
best time to repot is when the new roots make' 
their appearance. They are large rooting 
plants, and therefore require liberal pot room 
Water must be liberally afforded through the 
growing season, which is during the hot sum¬ 
mer months. During winter care must be 
observed not to over-water the plants, or the 
tips of the leaves will show signs of spotting 
and will cause permanent disfigurement o: 
the plants. Thrips and greenfly are the 
greatest pests ; these may be held in check bj 
occasional fumigation or spraying with some 
safe insecticide suitable for the purpose. 
Where infested with scale, sponge the foliage 
carefully with a soft sponge, care being 
observed to avoid scratching the tender leaves 
H. J. Chapman. 
| OUR . . . 
! Northern Gardens. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Beetroot. —It is well to keep a watchful eye 
on this crop, as mice are particularly fond of 
it. Many fine breadths of this are spoiled in 
a short time by these little pests, and as the 
damage is seldom apparent for some time after 
the mischief is done, it is expedient to go. 
over the rows occasionally and see that all is 
right. If there is any sign of the depredators 
trap them at once. 
Swede Turnips. —When well grown these 
are much appreciated in the kitchen during 
the winter and early spring months. Keep 
stirring the soil between the rows as long as 
it is possible to do so, or until the tops have 
met in the drills- Mice are also rather partial 
to these Turnips, and must be kept under by 
trapping. 
Broccoli. —• Dutch-hoe constantly among 
the plantations of Broccoli. This not only 
keeps down dirt, but also induces sturdy, firm 
growth, and so enables the plants to with¬ 
stand any ordinary winter. 
Parsley for winter use should receive care¬ 
ful attention. See that the plants are not too 
crowded, especially in frames. Where re¬ 
liance is placed on early sown plants, remove 
all yellow or coarse leaves, and thus induce 
strong, short-stemmed fronds, that will 
stand severe weather. 
Harvesting Crops. —Many crops have 
reached maturity earlier than usual this 
season, and no good purpose is served by 
allowing such to remain out when once ready 
to harvest. Potatos for seed keep quite as wel 1 
if lifted just before they are quite ripe. As 
before recommended for the early varieties, 
it is a good plan to expose all Potatos meant 
for seed to the sun and air for a fortnight 
before storing. A cold frame is a good place 
in which to mature them, as the sashes can 
be run on to keep the tubers dry. Onions can 
either be spread out in frames, as recom¬ 
mended for Potatos, or tied in bunches, and 
hung up in the sun for a few days. In any 
case it is advantageous to place them so as to 
be able to shelter from heavy rains. Early 
Carrots can be lifted and stored in dry sand 
in a cool place. Shallots and Potato Onions 
seem to keep best if placed in net bags, and 
hung up in a cool shed. If dry, frost doe 
little harm to any of the Onion tribe. 
Preston, Linlithgow. C. Blaik. 
Flower Garden and 
Pleasure Grounds. 
Bedding Plants. — Autumn propagatio 
must now be completed without delay, as tli 
solar heat is declining daily, and insufficientl 
rooted stock cannot be expected to winte 
satisfactorily. Keep the beds as tidy an 
trim as possible, as there is a tendency i 
many of the plants to overstep their propi 
bounds at the end of the season. 
Summer Chrysanthemums. —These ha 1 
been very precocious this season, but they ai 
flowering splendidly. See tliat the plants aj 
correctly labelled to avoid confusion whe 
lifting plants from which to propagate. No 
is the time to review the collection with 
view to modifying it in view of any con ten 
plated changes for next year. 
Christmas Roses.— The Hellebores a; 
now beginning to throw up their flow) 
buds, and will be benefited by a. good sprin 
ling of soot to be washed in by the autun 
rains. Remove all decayed leaves and ri 
through the beds with the Dutch hoe, so th 
the plants may be left undisturbed till tl 
flowering season is past. 
Late Phloxes.— Where it is desirable to i 
crease the stock of these or renew old worn-o 
plants, cuttings are preferable to propagatii 
by division, and they must be got in at one 
Bright telling shades of colour are the best. 
C. C. 
Conservatory and Greenhouse 
Callas. —The entire stock must now e 
potted up according to instructions alreap 
given here. 
Chrysanthemums. —Attend to recent dir - 
tions given on this page. See that ail slm> 
are carefully tied in or the autumn will p > 
■havoc amongst them. It is a good plan o 
withhold stimulants for a few days occasia- 
ally; it is also well to vary the stimu.a’s 
from time to time. Plants appreciate a 
change of food as much as animals do. 
