January  23,  1896. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
71 
will  obviate  the  necessity  of  much  root  watering  at  first  ;  but 
if  the  repotting  takes  place  in  spring  the  roots  will  soon  again  be 
on  the  move,  and  an  increased  supply  will  be  needed. 
The  plants  are  growing  all  through  the  summer  months, 
and  generally  finish  up  their  pseudo-bulbs  in  late  autumn, 
and  though  they  usually  rest  awhile  they  must  never  be  dried  at 
the  root.  The  flower  spikes  push  up  in  early  winter,  and  if  the 
bulbs  are  strong  it  is  remarkable  what  a  quantity  of  flower  they 
produce.  Each  spike  emits  a  single  blossom  ;  these  in  the  typical 
plant  are  nearly  white  on  the  sepals  and  petals,  the  lip  shaded  with 
rose  and  profusely  spotted  with  crimson.  There  are  varieties 
innumerable,  no  two  plants  producing  flowers  alike  in  every 
particular. 
The  white  form  L.  S.  alba  is  a  chaste  and  beautiful  Orchid. 
The  flowers  are  not  usually  quite  as  large  as  those  of  the  type,  but 
are  well  formed,  the  sepals,  petals,  and  lip  being  pure  white,  the 
latter  being  marked  about  the  centre  with  yellow.  Deeply  coloured 
forms  are  also  plentiful,  and  among  these  may  be  mentioned  L.  S. 
nigro-rubra,  L.  S.  rosea,  L.  S.  purpurea,  and  L.  S.  superba.  Some 
forms  are  nearly  white,  as  L.  S.  vestalis  ;  while  others  show  a  rich 
contrast  in  the  colour  of  the  lip  and  the  other  segments,  as  L  .  S. 
purpurea.  All  the  forms  are  beautiful  and  last  long  in  perfection, 
from  five  to  seven  weeks  being  by  no  means  unusual. 
This  fact  makes  the  species  one  of  the  most  useful  Orchids  for 
house  decoration,  but,  unfortunately,  the  plants  are  often  kept  in 
far  too  long,  this  being  detrimental  to  them.  Still,  they  are  long- 
suffering  in  this  respect  also,  and  if  kept  fairly  well  watered  at 
the  root  and  the  foliage  sponged  occasionally  they  soon  pick  up 
again  when  placed  in  more  congenial  quarters.  As  hinted  above, 
the  temperature  they  are  grown  in  has  a  marked  effect  on  their 
flowering  season,  and  this  may  be  considerably  prolonged  if 
sufficient  plants  are  grown  by  keeping  them  in  various  temperatures 
and  by  starting  them  at  different  times.  All  the  varieties  are 
natives  of  Guatemala,  whence  the  typical  form  was  introduced  in 
1842.— H.  R.  R. 
ROYAL  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 
January  14th. 
Scientific  Committee.— Present :  Dr.  M.  T.  Masters  (in  the  chair) ; 
Dr.  Muller,  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  Mr.  Douglas,  Mr.  Michael,  Dr.  Russell,  and 
Rev.  G.  Henslow,  Hon.  Sec. 
The  Colouring  of  Flowers  and  Fruit. — The  following  communication 
was  received  from  Mr.  Roupell  of  Harvey  Lodge,  Roupell  Park,  in  reply 
to  inquiries  upon  the  artificial  colouring  of  Apples  : — “  The  lime  used 
was  the  best  chalk  lime  air-slaked.  The  lime  and  Boot  formed  part  of 
the  compost  with  which  they  were  planted  ;  say,  one  part  soot,  two 
parts  lime,  two  parts  charred  refuse  from  rubbish  heap,  and  twenty  parts 
ordinary  kitchen  garden  soil,  carefully  blended.  In  this  comparatively 
dry  and  warm  compost  the  trees  made  short  growths  of  well-ripened 
wood  and  bore  well  the  second  year.  I  have  Bince  had  lime  and  soot 
sown  over  the  trees  just  before  the  bads  began  to  burst  in  the  proportion 
of  two  parts  lime  and  one  part  of  soot,  and  at  the  rate  of  half  a  pound 
of  the  mixture  to  the  square  yard.  This  served  as  a  protection  agaiDst 
the  larvae  of  certain  moths  as  well  as  a  manure.  The  soot  and  lime 
should  be  used  quickly  to  avoid  the  escape  of  ammonia.  The  mixture 
caused  a  deeper  colour  in  Apples  and  Pears.  This  was  especially  so  in 
Lane’s  Prince  Albert,  Red  Joaneting,  Mr.  Gladstone,  Irish  Peach,  Melon 
Apple,  Oox’s  Orange  Pippin,  Beautv  of  Kent,  and  Peasgood’s  Nonesuch. 
The  pale  green  varieties,  such  as  Lord  Suffield,  were,  I  think,  made  to 
assume  a  deeper  green,  just  as  Grass  and  Wheat  do  when  dressed  with  a 
Bimilar  mixture.  My  experience  is  that  Pears  and  Apples  are  more 
highly  coloured  when  grown  on  a  soil  abounding  in  iron  and  dressed 
with  lime  and  soot  than  in  a  soil  deficient  in  iron  and  lime.  Louise 
Bonne  of  Jersey,  Beurre  Clairgeau,  Trout  Pear,  Clapp’s  Favourite, 
Durondeau,  Beurrd  Ranee,  Uvedale’s  St.  Germain,  Verulam,  Vicar  of 
Winkfield,  and  Catillac  are  deficient  in  colour  when  grown  on  a  cold 
clay  soil.  I  have  also  observed  that  Apples  and  Pears  are  more  brightly 
coloured  in  a  good  showery  season  than  in  a  very  dry  and  hot  one,  and  that 
some  Apples,  such  as  the  Dartmouth  Crab  and  some  astringent  cider  Apples 
are  red  all  over  or  not.  merely  on  the  sunny  side.”  With  reference  to  other 
fruits,  Mr.  Roupell  further  remarks  :  “  Black  Grapes  colour  best  in  partial 
shade,  and  white  varieties  when  exposed  to  the  sun.  They  then  assume 
an  amber  tint.  Thomson’s  Vine  manure  intensifies  the  purple  or  black 
of  Grapes.  Green  Tomatoes  become  red  when  ripened  in  the  dark,  and 
some  Apples  gathered  green  become  deep  yellow  and  flushed  with 
crimson,  according  to  the  variety  in  the  fruit  room.”  The  Secretary 
observed  that  several  letters  had  appeared  in  the  “  Gardeners’ 
Chronicle  ”  upon  this  subject,  some  writers  attributing  the  brightening 
of  the  colour  mainly  to  “  air  and  direct  sunlight,”  others  to  the  presence 
of  iron,  sulphate  of  iron  and  soot  being  given.  “The  iron  helps  the 
colouring  by  its  absorbing  sun  heat,  and  thus  rendering  the  soil  warmer.” 
One  writer  observed  that  of  100  trees  of  Wellington  Pippin  only  one 
gave  red  Apples,  and  “  that  tree  had  soot  and  iron  given  to  it.  With 
these,  and  plenty  of  light  and  sun,  I  get  the  best  colours  I  can  wish  for.” 
The  writers  generally  insist  on  a  warm  soil.  In  commenting  on  these 
experiences,  Dr.  Muller  observed  that  it  was  theoretically  doubtful 
whether  the  iron — a  common  ingredient  in  all  soils — has  any  effect,  as  it 
enters  only  to  a  very  minute  extent  unto  the  essential  parts  of  plants 
(the  chlorophyll).  If  it  be  applied  with  lime,  then  the  solution  of  iron 
sulphite,  under  the  influence  of  the  air,  is  very  soon  changed  into 
calcium  sulphate  and  ferric  hydrate.  The  former  may  then  act  bene¬ 
ficially  as  a  “holder  ”  of  ammonia,  and  enhance  the  activity  of  the  soil. 
But  since  the  soot  contains  ammonia  salts  (chiefly  sulphate),  it  would 
seem  that  the  colouring  may  be  most  probably  traced  to  this  ingredient, 
rather  than  the  iron  or  lime.  It  was  suggested  that  experiments  should 
be  tried  by  using  nitrate  of  ammonia,  in  the  proportion  of  1  oz,  to  a 
gallon  of  water. 
Rose  Sporting. — Mr.  J.  Hall  of  Cheltenham  wrote  to  say  that  “  in 
the  summer  of  1890  a  Rose  grown  on  Dartmoor  from  a  slip  of  a  tree  in 
Torquay  bloomed,  and  on  comparing  the  two  the  one  from  Dartmoor 
was  a  deep  red  orange,  the  one  in  Torquay  a  pale  lemon  yellow.  The 
soil  in  Torquay  is  the  red  sandstone  ;  Dartmoor  is  decomposed  granite 
with  some  peat.”  Mr.  Wilks  observed  that  the  Rose  (from  the  above 
description)  might  be  Mrs.  Allen  Richardson,  which  is  of  a  deep  apricot 
colour,  but  has  the  habit  of  sporting  to  a  pale  yellow,  so  that  the  soil 
may  not  have  been  the  cause. 
Cyclamens  Unhealthy. — Mr.  Leek  of  Bullington  House  forwarded  a 
plant  which  does  not  appear  to  be  attacked  with  any  disease,  but  had 
received  some  check  by  cold,  draught,  or  other  cause.  Mr.  Douglas 
observed  that  he  had  experienced  a  similar  effect  in  some  of  his  plants. 
Mr.  Leek  also  sent  a  Primula,  remarkable  for  an  increased  viscidity,  but 
it  appeared  to  be  perfectly  healthy. 
ly caste  Shinneri,  virescent. — Mr.  Sanders  forwarded  a  specimen  in 
which  the  perianth  was  green.  The  cause  of  virescence  is  obscure,  being 
permanent  on  the  well-known  green  Rose. 
Dianthus  Attached  by  Grubs. — With  reference  to  this  subject 
brought  before  the  Committee  at  the  last  meeting,  Mr.  Douglas 
remarked  that  he  had  lost  some  thousands  of  plants,  and  that  the  only 
remedy  was  to  pick  out  the  grubs  with  a  needle.  Dr.  Muller  observed 
that  it  attacks  the  very  youngest  plants  when  only  three  or  four  leaves 
are  present,  and  especially  D.  glacialis. 
Peach  Tree  Gumming. — Mr.  S.  T.  Wright  sent  a  piece  of  a  trunk  badly 
gummed  from  Chiswick,  saying  that  it  appeared  to  have  some  grubs 
upon  it,  but  none  could  be  seen.  It  was  forwarded  to  Mr.  Maclacblan 
for  further  investigation.  Mr.  Douglas  observed  that  when  gumming 
first  appears,  trenching  all  round  the  roots,  with  the  insertion  of  fresh 
loam,  checks  it  at  once,  but  if  it  has  reached  an  advanced  stage,  in 
the  specimen  sent,  the  tree  must  be  removed. 
Pinus  Coulterifmacrocarpa). — Dr.  Masters  exhibited  some  handsome 
cones  and  foliage  of  this  tree  grown  at  Lord  Ducie’s  grounds,  Tortworth, 
Gloucestershire.  It  is  also  quite  hardy  in  Kent.  He  observed  that  it  was 
hardier  than  P.  insignis,  though  it  comes  from  a  lower  altitude  than 
the  former  in  California.  P.  Coulteri  differs  from  the  variety  macrocarpa 
in  having  curved  spines. 
Orchids  Monstrous. — Dr.  Yon  Muller  sent  specimens,  drawings  of 
which  were  shown  by  Dr.  Masters,  of  flowers  of  Glossodia  and  Caleana, 
the  former  having  three  lips,  while  the  latter  had  no  lip  but  a  petaloid 
column,  &c. 
The  Committees  for  1896. 
In  a  recent  issue  we  gave  the  dates  of  the  meetings  of  this  Society, 
to  be  held  during  the  ensuing  year.  Full  particulars  of  the  exhibitions 
can  be  had  from  the  Society’s  publication,  known  as  “Arrangements 
for  1896,”  in  which  are  also  given  lists  of  the  various  Committees,  and 
these  we  reprint  for  the  benefit  of  our  readers. 
Scientific  Committee. 
Chairman. — Sir  J.  D.  Hooker,  K.C.S.I,,  C.B.,  F.R.S.,  &c.,  The  Camp« 
Sunningdale. 
Vice-Chairmen. — Dyer,  W.  T.  Thistleton,  C.M.G.,  F.R.S.,  Royal 
Gardens,  Kew  ;  Foster,  Professor  M.,  Sec.  R.S.,  Great  Shelford,  Cam¬ 
bridge  ;  Masters,  Maxwell  T.,  M.D.,  F.R.S.,  &c.,  Mount  Avenue, 
Baling,  W. 
Hon.  Secretary. — Rev.  Prof.  G.  Henslow,  M.A.,  F.L.S.,  Drayton 
House,  Ealing,  W. 
Allen,  J.,  Park  House,  Shepton  Mallet. 
Baker,  J.  G.,  F.R.S.,  Royal  Gardens,  Kew. 
Balfour,  Prof.  I.  B.,  F.R.S.,  Botanic  Gardens,  Edinburgh. 
Bonavia,  Dr.  E.,  5,  Harrington  Mansions,  South  Kensington. 
Burbidge,  F.  W,,  M.A.,  F.L.S.,  Trinity  College  Gardens,  Dublin. 
Church,  Professor  A.  H.,  M,A.,  F.R.S.,  Shelsley,  Kew  Gardens. 
Clarke,  Colonel  R.  Trevor,  Welton  Place,  Daventry. 
Darwin,  Francis,  F.R.S.,  Wychfield,  Huntingdon  Road,  Cambridge. 
Dod,  Rev.  C.  Wolley,  Edge  Hall,  Malpas,  Cheshire. 
Elwes,  H.  J.,  F.L.S.,  F.Z  S.,  Colesborne,  Andoversford,  Glos. 
Engleheart,  Rev.  G.  H.,  M.A.,  Appleshaw,  Andover. 
Farmer,  Prof.  J.  B.,  M.A.,  Roval  College  of  Science,  South  Kensington. 
Frankland,  E.,  F.R.S.,  The  Yews,  Reigate  Hill,  Reigate. 
Godman,  F.  DuCane,  F.R.S.,  10,  Chandos  Street,  Cavendish  Square. 
Lindsay,  R.,  Botanic  Gardens,  Edinburgh. 
Llewelyn,  Sir  J.  T.  D.,  Bart.,  F.L.S.,  Penllergare,  Swansea. 
Lvnch,  R.  Irwin,  A.L.S.,  Botanic  Gardens,  Cambridge. 
Maxwell,  W.  H.,  Munches,  Dalbeattie,  N.B, 
McLachlan,  R.,  F.R.S.,  Westview,  Clarendon  Road,  Lewisham,  S.E. 
Michael,  A.  D.,  F.L.S.,  Cadogan  Mansions,  Sloane  Square,  S.W. 
Morris,  D.,  C.M.G.,  M.A..  F.L.S.,  D.Sc.,  12,  Cumberland  Road,  Kew. 
Muller,  Hugo,  Ph.D.,  F.R.S.,  13,  Park  Square  East,  Regent’s  Park. 
Oliver,  F.  W,,  D.Sc.,  F.L.S.,  10,  Kew  Gardens  Road,  Kew. 
Plowright,  C.  B.,  F.L.S.,  7,  King  Street,  King’s  Lynn. 
