500 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  14,  1900. 
keep  the  glass  sufficiently  clean  for  the  admission  of  light,  and  the 
leaves  free  from  the  deleterious  substances  that^fioat  in  the  air  of  the 
modern  Babylon. 
^i'nrning  now  to  the  individual  plants,  we  may  first  glance  at  the 
hlasdevallias,  of  which  the  collection  of  species  is,  as  has  been  said,  of 
exceptional  excellence.  One  cool  structure  is  given  over  entirely  to 
them,  while  we  find  others  requiring  greater  heat  in  a  suitable  house, 
with  still  more  that  may  be  described  as  of  botanical  interest  in  a 
third.  From  this  some  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  number  of  plants. 
We  jotted  down  the  names  of  a  few  of  those  in  flower,  and  they 
comprised  llarryana  armeniaca,  yellow  and  salmon  ;  Harryana  lilacina, 
Harryana  concbiflora,  cordata-Esiradm,  Stella,  Gairiana,  yellow  and 
purple;  Ellisiana,  and  Bella,  the  latter  being  one  of  the  plants 
secured  when  the  Downside  collection  was  broken  up.  In  the  warm 
house  the  six  plants  of  M.  Lowi  were  particularly  noteworthy,  as  they 
have  all  been  grown  from  a  single  plant  having  three  leaves  ;  one  of 
them  has  now  a  dozen  handsome  leaves,  which  speaks  volumes  for 
the  cultivation.  ' 
In  a  large  span-roofed  structure  in  two  compartments  we  find 
Cattleyas  in  the  first  and  Atirides  and  Vandas  in  the  second.  There 
are,  too,  a  few  Lmlio-Cattleyas,  such  as  elegans  and  Pallas,  and  Lselias, 
including  the  splendid  purpurata  E.  I.  Measures.  The  Cattleyas 
consist  mainl7  of  magnificent  plants  of  aurea,  gigas,  and  labiata,  of 
which  two  of  the  best  are  labiata  alba  and  E.  I.  Measures.  The 
^  andas  are  of  such  unifoim  excellence  and  the  collection  is  so 
comprehensive  that  one  only  will  be  specially  named.  That  is 
^  .  Parish!  Marriottiana,  which  is  on  a  raft,  and  has  seven  beautiful 
growth.s.  One  does  not  require  to  see  a  plant  like  this  in  flower  to 
admire  it,  as  the  splendid  leaves  are  alone  satisfying.  In  an  adjacent 
house  are  the  Odontoglossums.  Owing  to  lack  of  space  these  have 
not  been  added  to  as  have  most  others,  and  they  are  consequently 
almost  all  old  plants  or  specimens  that  have  been  divided.  We  hear 
sometimes  of  Odontoglossums  going  back,  but  this  is  not  borne  out  by 
the  Cambridge  Lodge  plants.  Oncidiums  of  the  macranthum  section 
are  in  luxuriant  health,  as  are  0.  papilio  and  0.  Krameri  in  another 
structure.  Travelling  a  few  more'steps  and  we  reach  the  Cymbidiums, 
including  Lowianum,  eburneum,  Traceyanum,  giganteum,  and  some 
hybrids.  Hanging  from  the  roof  of  this  house,  too,  is  a  fine  rdant  of 
th®  peculiar  Nanodes  Medusae. 
Cypripediums,  individually  and  collectively,  are  superb  in  quality 
of  flower  and  in  the  health  of  the  stock.  In  and  out  of  flower  were 
observed  insignes  Ernesti,  Sanderae,  and  the  Harefield  Hall  variety, 
Lawrenceanum,  L.  Ilyeanum,  callosum,  Chaj  mani  magnificum 
(tig.  134),  venustum  Measuresianum,  Wottoni,  Curtisi,  C.  viride, 
Eothschildiannm  ;  hybrids  of  bellatulum,  niveum,  leucochilum, 
Godefroyae,  and  many  others  showing  the  range  of  the  collection. 
There  are  hundreds  of  seedling  Cypripediums  and  Cattleyas  for  which  it 
will  be  no  easy  matter  to  find  space  as  they  gain  size  and  require  larger 
pots.  The  collection  of  Miltonia  vexillaria  in  variety  is  excellent ;  tl  e 
plants  are  grown  in  one  structure,  and  as  the  flowers  expand  they  aie 
transferred  to  what  may  be  termed  the  show  house.  Here,  in  con¬ 
junction  with  Lselio-Cattleya  Schilleriana,  superb  variety;  Cattleyas 
Wm.  Muiray,  Mossise,  and  Arnoldiana,  Laelia  purpurata,  and  others, 
they  are  making  a  brilliant  display.  The  plants  flower  with  the 
greatest  freedom,  and  many  of  the  blooms  exceed  5  inches  in 
depth  and  3  inchts  in  width.  M.  Eoezli  frem  its  own  particular 
spot  is  also  employed  for|  adding  beauty  and  variety  to  the  show 
house. 
Time  and  space  are,  however,  exhausted,  and  we  must  bring  these 
notes  to  a  close  with  a  reference  to  the  Phalaenopsis.  These  have 
been  reserved  until  the  last  because  they  perhaps  show  the  most 
marked  improvement  of  any  one  section.  We  can  remember  the 
plants  when  they  only  produced  leaves  of  moderate  size  and 
substance,  wheieas  now  the  foliage  is  of  immense  size  and 
remarkable  thickness;  they  are  a  picture  of  the  rudest  health,  and 
are  worth  travelling  far  to  see,  even  if  not  one  single  plant  is  in 
flower.  We  noted  in  bloom  Luddemanniaua,  tetraspus  and  amabilis. 
The  Dendrobiums  and  others  must  remain  unnoticed  for  the  time,  and 
in  conclusion  we  may  tender  to  Mr.  Measures  our  congratulations  on 
the  extent  and  variety,  as  well  as  the  excellent  health,  of  one  of  the 
finest  collections  of  Orchids  that  can  be  found  in  or  out  of  London. 
— Orache. 
- ^ - 
Tropseolum  speclosum. — It  may  interest  your  correspondent  to 
know  that  after  some  trouble  I  am  getting  this  plant  to  make  a  little 
growth  in  a  corner  between  a  north  and  a  west  wall,  where,  as  far  as 
I  know,  it  gets  no  sun.  I  find  that  wire  netting  promotes  the  early 
growth  better  than  twigs,  I  fancy  because  the  metal  condenses  a  certain 
amount  of  moisture.  I  have  been  long  puzzled  to  know  why  this  native 
of  South  America  should  only  flourish  in  Scotland.  As  1  understand 
you,  it  is  drought,  not  heat,  we  have  to  guard  against. — Eet  KaHiL. 
Rose  Show  Fixtures  in  1900. 
June  27th  (Wednesday).— Salisbury  (N.R.S.),  Richmond  (Surrey),*  and 
*  Southampton.* 
,,  28th  (Thursday). — Canterbury,  Colchester, and  Isle  of  WightfRyde 
„  30th  (Saturday). — Maidstone  and  Windsor. 
July  3rd  (Tuesday). — Westminster  (R.H.S.),  and  Gloucester. 
,,  4th  (Wednesday). — Croydon,  Ealing,  Farningham,  Hereford,. 
Reigate,  and  Tunbridge  Wells. 
„  5th  (Thursday). — Bath,  Norwich,  and  Sutton. 
„  7th  (Saturday). — Crystal  Palace  (N.R.S.). 
„  10th  (Tuesday). — Harrow  and  Wolverhampton. f 
„  11th  (Wednesday). — Brockham  and  Formby. 
,,  12th  (Thursday). — Brentwood,  Salterhebble,  Woodbridge,  and 
~  _  _ Eltham. 
„  13th  (Friday). — Ulverston. 
„  14th  (Saturday). — Manchester,  and  New  Brighton. 
I7th  (Tuesday)  Carlisle. 
„  18th  (Wednesday). — Cardiff.* 
,,  19th  (Thursday). — Birmingham  (N.R.S.)  and  Helensburgh, 
,,  21st  (Saturday). — NewtouiMearns. 
,,  24th  (Tuesday). — Tibshelf. 
„  25th  (Wednesday). — Newcastle-on-Tyne  +  and  Belfast.* 
„  26th  (Thursday). — Bedale. 
*  Shows  lasting  two  days.  t  Shows  lasting  three  days. 
Feeding  Roses, 
Eecent  copious  rains  have  benefited  Eoses  fo  a  considerable  extent, 
not  only  by  washing  and  cleansing  the  foliage  from  dust,  and  assisting 
in  freeing  them  of  insects,  but  by  moistening  the  soil.  This  renders 
the  application  of  stimulants  of  greater  benefit,  as  the  special 
constituents  of  the  manure  applied  are  more  readily  held  by  the  soil 
when  the  latter  is  moist  and  the  roots  have  access  to  it  as  required, 
assimilating  it  into  the  root  system  and  soon  distributing  it  throughout 
the  tree  or  bush.  At  the  present  time  the  demands  of  Eoses  are 
important.  The  large  extent  of  foliage  is  constantly  giving  off  watery 
vapour.  In  hot,  dry  seasons  it  is  extremely  trying  for  the  Eoses, 
especially  if  the  soil  should  be  poor  and  the  roots  are  not  able  to 
abstract  the  food  so  much  needed  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  healthy 
growth.  During  the  time,  therefore,  that  moist  weather  prevails  liquid 
manure  may  be  applied,  provided  the  soil  is  duly  moist  below. 
Farmyard  liquid  manure  contains  all  the  elements  needed  by  plants, 
acd  generous  doses  given  at  brief  intervals  will  greatly  improve 
the  vigour  of  weakly  trees  or  bushes,  promote  the  fuller  development 
of  buds  in  ordinary  healthy  bushes,  and  assist  the  superfluous  energy 
to  expend  itself  in  the  production  of  stout  growths  for  the  succeeding 
year.  Much  depends  upon  the  vigour  and  health  of  bush,  standard, 
and  climbing  Eoses  during  the  period  of  full  growth,  and  every 
endeavour  should  be  made  to  maintain  a  steady  and  continuous  improve¬ 
ment  throughout  that  period.  In  helping  a  Eose  to  develop  its  flower 
buds  in  the  best  possible  manner  it  is  obvious  that  benefit  accrues  in 
other  ways.  For  instance,  regular  moisture  promotes  a  satisfactory 
growth.  The  foliage  plumps  up  and  does  better  work  which,  reacting 
upon  the  roots,  induces  that  desirable  vigour  indicating  health. 
Wall  Roses  often  deteriorate,  not  so  much  from  lack  of  good  soil 
as  from  insufficient  moisture  in  it,  whereby  the  plant  food  may  become 
available.  Considering  the  importance  of  moisture  at  the  roots  as  one 
of  the  chief  means  by  which  plants  leed,  it  will  be  seen  that  feeding 
does  not  always  consist  of  applying  liquid  manure  or  solutions  of 
special  cheiii’cal  manures;  but  that  before  using  these  aids,  going 
probably  to  expense  and  trouble  in  securing  a  supply,  a  copious 
application  of  clear  water  may  prove  the  better  treatment.  It  at  least 
prepares  the  way  ft  r  richer  and  more  stimulating  diet,  but  of  itself 
it  is  foed,  and  has  the  power  to  render  soluble  important  elements- 
locked  up  in  the  soil.  Use  plenty  of  water,  therefore,  in  the  first 
instance,  or  wherever  it  is  found  that  roots  are  ramifying  in  dry  soil. 
Roses  on  walls  are  especially  liable  to  suffer  from  poverty  of  moisture. 
This  can  invariably  be  detected  by  the  character  of  the  growth,  which 
will  be  weak  and  short  rather  than  vigorous"  ard  long.  This  applies  to- 
strong-growing  varieties,  not  to  the  naturally  small  and  weak  growers. 
Healthy  growth,  however,  always  asserts  itself.  On  indifferent  growth 
insects  readily  find  a  footing,  and  spread  with  remarkable  rapidity. 
They  should  be  destroyed  or  displaced  by  copious  syringing. 
