4i4 
THE GARDENING WORLD , 
May 20, 1906. 
remove the boxes in which they are probably growing to* a cool 
house, pit or frame, and thoroughly fumigate with XL All, the 
most simple* and effectual method of cleansing them. Give a 
thorough watering before moving, lift with nice balls with a 
garden trowel, plant very firmly, thoroughly water in and apply 
a good dusting of fresh soot both on the foliage and round 
about the plants. This not only acts as a preventive to the 
Celery fly attacking them, though I know some are sceptical as 
to this, but this is owing to not being persistently applied, 
especially early in the season ; but it also* is a splendid stimu¬ 
lant and does much to prevent slugs and worms disfiguring it. 
During dry weather the plants should be* damped overhead 
twice daily, and abundance of water given at the roots ; in fact, 
too much can hardly be given. Other trenches should*be pre¬ 
pared and made ready for successional sowings, and the ridges 
should be* employed for growing Lettuce, Endive and Radishes. 
Leeks. — Continue to plant these out in trenches as prepared 
for Celery, allowing a distance* of 10 in. to 12 in. from plant to 
plant. The blanching should be proceeded with immediately 
they are put out, nothing being better than stiff brown paper 
collars, which can be purchased at a very small cost- or made* at 
home. These should be raised as the plants become drawn up, 
placing some of the finest soil round the bottom until the 
desired height is reached, when these should be removed and 
the blanched part banked up with soil, when, if plenty of 
moisture is applied, these will swell at a great rate. The 
latest sowing should now be pricked out from 3 in. to* -1 in. 
apart. These will be* serviceable for next spring s supply. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. E. Beckett. 
Among the Orchids. 
Phaius. •—The species belonging to this genus are not only 
interesting, but they are most* useful for decorative purposes. 
They can be successfully grown in any ordinary stove, or 
are still better and more easily cultivated in an intermediate 
house temperature. They are far less liable to become dis¬ 
figured by the dreaded black spot on the foliage when the 
piants are cultivated under cooler conditions. In addition to* 
the species of the P. giandifolius section, there are the numerous 
hybrids that have been derived from the inter-crossing of 
these with P. tub ere id os us*; P. eooksoniauus and the* variable 
P. Norman are the most prominent of these, and having 
now become plentifully distributed, they may be procured 
for a reasonable outlay. They come into flower during the 
months of February, March, and April, and last for several 
weeks in perfection. In fact, we have had plants in the draw¬ 
ing-room here for at least six weeks. The removal of the 
plants to the cooler and dry conditions seems to do no harm 
whatever, in fact it appears to afford the necessary rest, for 
it is remarkable with what vigour plants thus treated seem to 
restart into growth immediately the flower scapes have been 
removed, and they are returned to the house in which they 
are grown. 
We ■grow the plants in a temperature of from 55 to 60 deg. 
during winter ; the summer temperature, with fire heat, from 
60 to 65 deg. The plants of this section, both of hybrids 
;nd species, are annually repotted about the middle of May. 
A great deal has been written about suitable compost, but 
providing atmospheric conditions and the discretion of apply¬ 
ing root moisture are considered. I find the plants will do in 
practically any compost. I have been unable to distinguish 
any perceptible difference between plants that have been grow¬ 
ing in a compost wholly of leaf soil, and those that have been 
potted in a mixture of peat and loam. I would advise a com¬ 
post of equal portions of fibrous loam, peat and leaf-soil, with 
sufficient rough sand or broken crocks to render the whole 
porous, the surface being covered with a layer of sphagnum 
moss. If desired, some sphagnum may be mixed with the 
potting material. The pots should be clean, and filled to 
one-third their depth with clean broken crock. The plants 
are gross feeders, and require a moderate amount of root 
room. The compost should be pressed moderately firm about 
the mots and base of Uie plants. 
As soon as repotting is completed, water the plants 
with rain-water, thoroughly wettmg the compost through. 
Very little water will be required afterwards for some time 
until the plants have become rooted through the compost, 
when more liberal moisture may be afforded, but I would not 
advise, even with pot-bound plants, the use of manure water 
of any kind. I am convinced that the plants do equally well 
without assistance of this kind. 
The Humblotti section of the hybrid Phaius are now in 
commerce. Those grown under much cooler conditions than 
the so-called tuberculosus section are far finer, and more 
easily accommodated. They flower about the month of May, 
and are more decorative and attractive even than those 
above mentioned. Their potting requirements are the same as 
stated above, but, flowering later, they do not usually com¬ 
mence rooting before the end of June. Repotting should thus 
be delayed until that period. A temperature of from 50 to 
55 deg. is ample for them during winter, with a summer 
temperature of 5 deg. higher. H. J. Chapjiak. 
American Plants. 
Given a good peaty soil, there are few shrubs that can 
give us such a brilliant display and such variations of colour 
during the springtime as this class of plant. All or nearly 
all are best seen when grown in masses. Erica mediterranea 
hybrida when seen in flower in a large bed to itself is a 
beautiful sight. Commencing to flower early in January, it 
will continue well on into April. The tree Heaths E. arborea 
and E. lusitanica are worthy of extended culture. They are 
exceedingly floriferous. E. Veitcliii, the result of a cross 
between the two, should be in every collection. It is rather 
scarce at present. E. australis, bearing beautiful red 
flowers during March and April, also attains a good height. 
It should be planted in a sheltered corner of the grounds, .and 
protected in cold weather, for it is liable to be damaged by 
severe frost. For those previously mentioned only slight 
protection is sometimes needful. E. carnea, growing about 
6 in. high, and being hardy, is an acquisition also, because of 
its white form. This Heath used to be known as E. herbacea. 
As it will stand clipping, it is useful for and forms a pretty 
edging. 
E. Tetralix and its varieties alba and rubra are really 
delightful. The variety of the Cornish Heath, E. vagans 
grandiflora, is very good. This and its other forms give a 
splendid show towards the latter > art of the summer. 
There are four varieties of Calluna vulgaris I would recom¬ 
mend : C. v. Allporti, C. v. aurea, C. v. Hammondi, and C. v. 
flore pleno. 
In Bryanthus empetrifonnis we have a delightful shrub. 
The flowers, which are in dense heads, are of a beautiful pink. 
The plant grows about 6 in. high. Kalmia g-lauca proves an ex¬ 
ceedingly showy shrub, with innumerable cup-like pink flowers. 
Rhodotliamnus Chamaecistus is very showy and suitable for 
rock-work. Others worthy of mention for their flowering 
propensities are : Andromeda polifolia var. angustifolia, Cas- 
siope tetragoma (pretty white), Rhododendron racemosum. 
R. Rhodora, R. ledifoliuin narcissiflorum, R. indicum amoenum, 
R. rhombicum (showy pink), and R. Yaseyi. A. J. 
Chinese Primula Webbs’ Avalanche. 
This is undoubtedly a grand variety, introduced by the 
well-knowm firm of Messrs. Webb and Sons, of Stourbridge, 
who have long been noted for high-class Primulas. Among 
a large number grown, here last year, no variety attiacted 
so much attention as this. The foliage is red, and the flowers 
a beautiful white of great substance, enormous trusses, which 
were thrown up well above the foliage. Now is the best time 
to sow Primula seed, and anyone desirous of obtaining a real 
good white will do well to include this. E. Beckett. 
