506 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
June 24, 1905. 
monly used by writers of Orchid calendars 
may be here desirable. 
Stove or East Indian House Plants.— 
This practically means the hottest house, 
where a temperature during winter of from 
60 deg. to 65 deg. can be maintained, with 
from 10 deg. to 15 deg. higher temperature 
during the warmer months of the year. It 
is a mistake to think that Orchids need facili¬ 
ties different from the requirements of other 
plants. The mistaken idea that Orchids re¬ 
quire, and cannot be cultivated successfully, 
excepting special facilities are provided suit¬ 
able for their requirements, has done, per¬ 
haps, more towards the determent in the 
general cultivation of Orchids than anything 
else., Even gardeners, who should know 
better, do not consider them in the light that 
after all Orchids are plants, requiring similar 
treatment to many of the subjects already 
accommodated and most successfully culti¬ 
vated by them. If they would only consider 
Orchids in this light, instead of in their 
altogether misrepresented view, they would 
acquire among them some subjects at least 
which would be found acceptable for use in 
decorative purposes at, perhaps, particular 
seasons of the year when their uses would 
be of the greatest advantage. This not 
only applies to the stove kinds, but to the 
intermediate and cool-house kinds also. 
The Intermediate House is such as where 
a temperature of normal 55 deg. can be main¬ 
tained during winter with from 5 deg. to 
10 deg. rise in summer. This is, perhaps, 
■ ; ie most useful of all structures for an ama¬ 
teur, from the fact that in suck a temperature 
the majority of the Orchids may be accommo¬ 
dated, that are the most easily grown, and 
yield the most satisfactory returns for their 
attention. Nearly the whole of the winter 
flowering kinds are suited in such accommo¬ 
dation, which, to me, is one of the chief 
items an amateur should direct his attention 
to. There are generally plenty of items of 
interest in the outside garden during late 
spring, summer and early autumn. It is 
after these have failed that- inside gardening 
should be of the greatest interest. The 
kinds, therefore, that will flower during the 
dull season should have the first attention, 
espcially where space is limited and it is 
desirable to produce the best possible returns. 
In the cool-house, that where the normal 
temperature of 50 deg. can be maintained in 
winter, is what is termed the cold-house 
Orchids. In such a division it is possible to 
cultivate practically the whole of the Odonto- 
glossums, including the now highly-cherished 
varieties of O, crispum, many Oncidiums and 
the whole of the genus Masdevallia. The 
Odontoglossums grow aft different seasons, 
and are thus producing their flower. scapes 
according to the season of development of 
growth, but the majority of them flower 
during the spring season, before there is 
really much produced in the way of flowers 
in the outside garden. The species Od. 
crispum has become a subject to be exten¬ 
sively cultivated by some market growers 
for cut-flower purposes, which is sufficient 
recommendation to illustrate the popularity 
of the flowers. The Oncidiums also are 
mostly spring-flowering subjects, and as they 
last a long time in perfection they are most 
useful for cut-flower purposes, and for mix¬ 
ing with other plants in grouping for decora¬ 
tive effect or for exhibition purposes. With 
the three divisions, and due consideration 
such as is given to the successful cultivation 
of any class of plants, it is not difficult to 
become a successful cultivator of Orchids. 
H. J. Chapman. 
Hardy Trees and Shrubs. 
Rhododendron and Azalea beds, which have 
now almost finished flowering, should have 
the seed-pods picked off and the surface 
raked over to clear away the fallen petals, 
etc. It will not be necessary to stir the soil 
deeply, and care should be taken not to in¬ 
jure the fibrous roots, which, when the beds 
are top-dressed annually, come very close to 
the surface. 
The growths of all climbing plants, such 
as Roses, Clematis, and Vines, should be 
kept tied, and the shoots regulated as re¬ 
quired. This applies especially to those 
growing on poles, and by carefully thinning 
out the growths the quality of the flower is 
much improved. 
Fabiana imbricata. —It is regrettable that 
one does not find this beautiful Chilian shrub 
more generally cultivated, for during the 
present month it is one of the most attractive 
members of the shrubbery. The supposition 
that it is not hardy may deter many from 
planting it, but, if given a well-drained posi¬ 
tion in a good loamy soil, there is no- reason 
why it should not succeed. This shrub 
greatly resembles a Heath, and when every 
branch is clothed with the white trumpet¬ 
shaped flowers it forms an object of much 
beauty. In the colder districts it is well 
suited for wall culture, and I have not found 
any protection necessary, although we have 
it in a very exposed position. A. E. T. 
~ 
OUR PRIZE COMPETITIONS. 
ESSAY COMPETITION (I). 
Prizes.—; i) Two Guineas ; (2) One Guinea. 
Open to all Readers. 
The above Prizes will be given for the best 
essays on- 
“What I would do with a Villa 
Garden, in the production of flowers, 
fruits, and vegetables.” 
S The garden may be of any shape, providing the 
area is approximately 3,000 square feet. Give a 
rough plan of the garden, indicating which is the 
north by an arrow; show the position of the 
various crops; if it is decided to have a lawn and 
flower-beds, their position with regard to the 
dwelling-house should be shown. Walks, flower- 
borders, fruit-trees or bushes, and vegetable 
quarters should be so disposed as to give the 
finest effect from the house and be in harmony 
with the surroundings. State if the garden is 
enclosed with a brick wall, open or closed fencing. 
The skill and taste displayed by the competitor 
in his arrangements will have great weight in the 
adjudication of the prizes. The expenditure in 
first stocking the garden with seeds, plants, trees, 
bushes, and fertilisers should be stated, and the 
annual cost afterwards. The essay should be 
about 1,000 words, and must be sent in on or 
before July 31st next. Mark envelopes in the 
left-hand corner “ Garden Competition. 
v_ 
Glut in Tomatos. —Tons of forced Tomatos 
have been poured into London from Guern¬ 
sey, Worthing, and Middlesex during the past 
few days, with the consequence of a gieat 
slump in prices. The collapse in values was 
due to the sudden recent spell of warm 
weather, which had the effect of prematurely 
colouring an enormous quantity of green 
fruit. 
Lawn Aowers 
- - AND - - 
How to Use Them. 
There is very little doubt many of our 
readers are possessors of a lawn mower, there¬ 
fore a few helpful remarks may prove service¬ 
able to those who desire to know somethin°- 
about them, and to others who take little or 
no interest in their machine, so as to secure 
effective work and easier management. 
A mowing machine to do proper work must 
be a good one. A few additional shillina S 
spent upon some well-known make, or from = a 
reliable manufacturer, is sure to bring in the 
end greater satisfaction. By a good machine 
I mean one that can be adjusted easily, taken 
to pieces and cleaned, and permit of its parts 
being readily renewed by the manufacturers. 
Never purchase a machine too 1 heavy to be 
used comfortably. H a machine of ordinary size 
runs heavily there is something wrong, and it 
should be seen to ; possibly the cogs or chains 
are clogged. I am speaking now for single- 
handed work on the smaller lawns, as on large 
lawns more substantial and heavier appara¬ 
tus combined with professional labour are re¬ 
quired. 
It is better to go over the lawn twice with a 
light running machine easily managed than to 
perform heavy laborious work with larger 
apparatus. Unless for very small plots cf 
grass, mowers less than 8 inches are not very 
serviceable. As a rule : , 8 or 10 inches with 
roller cylinder, or 10 or 12 inches without, 
are most useful for all-round work. Should 
the amateur possess a garden roller there is 
little need) to purchase a roller cylinder 
mower. Although this class of mower is 
dearer it has many additional advantages, 
especially in cutting the verges of grass. 
There is a great deal in the manner in which 
the mower is adjusted, for by the turn of a 
screw or a nut the whole effect may be im¬ 
proved or marred. A machine should never 
be used unless the user is fully assured that 
it is properly adjusted. The blades should 
just touch along their length, the flat cutting 
blade underneath; they should turn easily 
but not loosely, without rattling or clicking, 
just sufficient noise when turned slowly to 
resemble the cutting by shears or scissors. 
For long grass the wooden roller or rollers, if 
in front, and guide iron which are provided, 
may be removed temporarily, but the height 
of the cutting portion of the machine will have 
to be adjusted by the front screws or nuts 
provided for that purpose. In nearly all 
makes a grass thrower is provided to throw 
the cut grass into the box, but where the grass 
box is not used it is advisable to remove the 
thrower if the grass is thrown forward. The 
accumulated cut grass tends to clog the 
blades, and gives extra labour which can be 
easily avoided. 
Treat your mower properly, it will repay 
for the extra care taken ; like other machinery 
it requires overhauling at least once a year. 
Do not omit to lubricate it properly and 
thoroughly each time before using. Drop oil 
into all the holes made for that purpose. 
This advice may appear foolish to the wise, 
but to those who may not know never by anv 
means use paraffin oil as a lubricant. It is 
surprising how many people use it for pur¬ 
poses of lubrication. It is all very well for 
cleaning, or for lighting and heating, and 
should be used only for those purposes. 
Wipe the blades with a cloth and brush off all 
dust and dirt and grass ends from the machine 
