June  23,  1898. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTIGULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
515 
Cattleya  Mendeli  Oakes  Ames. 
The  named  forms  of  Cattleya  INIendeli  become  more  and  more 
numerous,  and  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  many  do  not  deserve  any 
^stinctive  appellation.  Such  a  charge  cannot,  however,  be  laid  against 
C.M.  Oakes  Ames,  for  it  is  one  of  the  noblest  varieties  that  has  been 
^hibited,  and  attracted  extraordinary  attention  at  the  Temple  Show. 
The  flowers  are  above  the  average  size,  are  very  substantial,  and  of 
remarkably  rich  colour.  The  broad,  slightly  waving  petals  are  rich 
rose,  with  a  bright  crimson  flame  at  the  tips ;  the  sepals  are  also  rich 
rose.  The  handsome  lip  is  velvety  maroon  crimson,  the  throat  being 
^llow  with  crimson  veins.  As  will  be  observed  in  the  woodcut 
(fig.  98,  page  621),  the  formation  of  the  lip  is  very  fine.  It  received  a 
first-class  certificate. 
Restrepias. 
I  OFTEN  wonder  why  these  beautiful  little  Orchids  are  not  more 
grown,  for  when  well  established  no  particular  difficulty  will  be  found 
in  their  culture,  and  the  plumes  have  just  the  quaint  and  singular 
structure  and  delicate  tinting  that  appeals  to  lovers  of  Orchids.  In 
habit  they  most  resemble  the  Pleurothallis  and  Masdevallias,  the 
blossoms  occurring  on  short  scapes  from  the  apex  of  the  stems,  'fhe 
plants  grow  naturally  at  considerable  elevation  in  various  parts  of 
America,  extending  from  Mexico  southwards  to  Brazil. 
They  like  cool  moist  conditions,  a  little  warmer,  if  anything,  than 
Masdevallias,  especially  in  winter,  but  where  no  intermediate  house 
exists  they  get  along  very  well  together.  The  roots  thrive  best  in 
pots  or  baskets  of  medium  size,  these  being  well  drained  and  only 
a  thin  surlacing  of  compost  used.  Three  parts  of  sphagnum  moss 
to  one  of  peat  fibre  is  suitable  as  a  rooting  medium,  and  the  best 
time  to  repot  or  rebasket  is  just  before  the  growth  commences.  If 
anything  close  or  sour  is  about  the  roots  remove  this  before  placing 
the  new  compost  about  them,  but  disturb  them  otherwise  as  little  as 
possible.  Water  freely  all  the  year  round,  but  especially  during  the 
growing  season.  R.  striata  (fig.  97)  is  of  scarcely  less  interest,  and  the 
illustration  will  convey  an  idea  of  the  general  floral  structure  of  the 
genus. 
Like  Masdevallias,  these  Orchids  are  apt  to  be  attacked  by  thrips, 
and  if  allowed  to  make  headway  these  troublesome  insects  soon  ruin 
the  appearance  of  the  plants.  Frequent  spongings  are  necessary  to 
rid  them  of  these  pests,  or  in  bad  cases  the  vapourising  funiigator  must 
be  used.  About  a  score  species  are  known,  to  botanists,  but  not  half 
of  them  are  probably  now  in  cultivation,  and  the  two  mentioued  below 
are  those  most  generally  grown. 
R.  antennifera  is  the  type  species,  and  is  so  called  on  account  of 
the  fine  narrow  pointed  upper  sepal  and  petals,  which  are  supposed  to 
resemble  the  antennae  of  an  insect.  These  and  the  other  segments  are 
yellow  closely  covered  with  purple  spots.  This  species  was  found  by 
Humboldt  very  early  in  the  present  century  growing  on  tree  trunks  in 
New  Grenada,  while  the  beautiful  R.  elegans  was  found  in  similar 
positions  in  Caracas  by  Dr.  Kaarten.  It  is  not  so  large  growing  as  the 
last  named,  but  even  more  beautiful,  the  colours  being  charmingly 
graduated  on  the  sepals  and  petals,  which  are  white  at  the  base, 
streaked  and  spotted  with  purple,  and  extending  to  deep  golden  yellow 
dails.  It  was  introduced  by  M.  Linden. — H.  R.  R. 
enough,  is  usually  preferred.  It  becomes  clean  and  sweet  on  the 
surface  by  washing  with  rain  before  the  fruit  is  ripe.  Supporting  the 
trusses  of  fruit  with  forked  sticks,  or  laying  squares  of  glass,  slate,  or 
tiles  underneath  them,  may  also  be  employed.  Short  grass  or  any¬ 
thing  that  will  troublesomely  adhere  to  the  fruit  ought  to  be  avoided. 
Immediately  the  fruit  is  ripe  protection  must  be  afforded  from  birds 
by  placing  nets  over  the  beds,  arranging  some  temporary  framework 
for  supporting  them  well  above  the  fruit,  and  so  that  they  can  be 
readily  removed  to  gather  the  berries. 
The  best  period  for  feeding  Strawberry  plants  is  after  the  fruit  is 
set  and  before  it  begins  colouring.  It  is  then  in  an  active  state  of 
development,  and  the  demands  on  the  energies  of  the  plants  great. 
Soluble  food,  such  as  liquid  manure  and  soot  water,  may  be  applied, 
Fig.  97. — Restrepia  striata. 
STRAWBERRY  BEDS. 
Centres  of  attraction  these  either  are  or  soon  will  be  in  thousands 
of  gardens,  and  a  few  notes  relevant  to  the  plants  and  crops  will  at 
least,  not  be  unseasonable.  The  plants  now  in  bearing  demand  atten¬ 
tion  in  assisting  the  fruit  to  ripen  by  affording  the  clusters  full 
exposure  to  the  beneficial  influence  of  light,  and  a  free  circulation  of 
air  round  the  plants.  If  strong  weeds  have  grown  rankly  they  not 
only  shade  the  fruits,  but  abstract  food  and  moisture  from  the  soil, 
both  of  which  are  required  in  large  measure  by  the  Strawberries. 
Neither  should  the  fruits  be  densely  shaded  with  large  luxuriant 
leaves,  the  abundant  rainfall  having  tended  to  increase  the  leaf  surface 
(recently.  Some  of  the  oldest  and  inferior  leaves  might  with  advantage 
ibe  removed,  but  avoid  stripping  away  too  freely  large  and  perfectly 
formed  leaves.  The  chief  benefit  accruing  is  the  freer  circulation 
of  air. 
The  ripening  fruit  must  have  a  clean  bed  of  material,  such  as 
straw,  to  rest  upon.  Perfectly  sweet  clean  straw  is  essential  when 
used  at  a  late  period,  but  litter  from  the  stables,  if  applied  early 
pouring  it  round  the  roots,  where  it  can  easily  reach  the  masses  of 
fibres,  and  be  almost  directly  absorbed.  In  seasons  when  the  soil  is 
moist  from  frequent  rainfalls,  liquid  nourishment  may  still  be  given 
with  advantage.  In  very  dry  periods  it  ought  to  follow  only  upon 
copious  applications  of  clear  water. 
Layering. — In  addition  to  the  fruit  of  the  present  crop  we  have  to 
think  about  plants  for  the  future.  In  order  to  secure  well-rooted 
plants  for  establishing  early,  and  affording  fine  fruits  next  year,  the 
stronger  of  the  first  runners  must  be  preserved  on  vigorous  fruiting 
plants,  removing  the  weaker  at  an  early  stage.  When  signs  of 
roots  are  apparent  on  the  most  forward  of  the  plantlets,  these  may  be 
secured,  each  with  a  hooked  peg  or  a  stone,  on  the  surface  of  small 
pots  filled  firmly  with  good  substantial  soil.  Partly  embed  the  pots  in 
the  ground,  and  supply  water  freely  in  dry  weather.  Cut  off  the 
runner  wires^  extending  beyond  the  pots,  and  when  these  are  well 
occupied  with  roots  the  young  plants  may  be  detached,  standing  them 
in  a  shaded  place  for  a  few  days,  and  they  will  soon  be  ready  for 
planting. — E.  D,  S. 
