J£ay  SI,  1896. 
JOURNAL  OP  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDEN  Ell. 
473 
superb  Lawreneeanum  Hyeanum,  leucochilum,  grande,  Lowi, 
Argus,  ciliolare,  and  a  particularly  fine  form  of  Lawreneeanum. 
These  are  all  well  grown,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  the  scores 
of  Cattleyas  in  the  next  house  visited.  There  is  not  a  large 
number  of  plants  in  flower,  but  many  buds  requiring  only  a  few 
days  to  reach  maturity.  Mendeli  and  labiatas  comprise  the  bulk  of 
plants  in  this  spot,  though  Laelia  anceps,  Chysis  bractescens, 
and  Sarcodes  Medusae,  each  in  capital  condition,  are  also  in 
evidence. 
Eucharises  first  claim  attention  in  another  structure  ;  but  when 
we  get  past  the  splendid  plants  we  are  in  the  home  of  Odonto- 
glossum  Roezli.  Here  in  pots  continually  standing  on  wet 
sphagnum  moss  the  plants  grow  like  weeds,  and  are  there  kept 
until  the  bud  is  well  advanced,  when  they  are  transferred  to  another 
position  to  develop  their  beautiful  flowers.  Yanda  teres  finds  a 
corner  here,  while  under  the  shaded  roof  Pha'eenopsis  have  a  place. 
Odontoglossum  crispum  in  variety  is  finely  grown,  and  is  now 
producing  a  very  charming  display.  Many  good  varieties  are  seen, 
but  none  is  named.  Singularly  beautiful  on  the  end  of  the  central 
stage  of  a  large  span-roofed  structure  are  the  Fox  Brush  Orchids, 
above  which  towers  Phaius  Sanderiana  in  grand  form.  The 
curiously  shaped  and  fragrant  Coryanthes  maculata  punctata  calls 
for  a  word  of  notice,  as  also  do  the  Dendrobium  Dalflousianum, 
the  Dendrobium  Phalsenopsis,  and  the  plant  of  Saccolabium 
ampullaceum  (fig.  76,  page  463). 
Several  months  ago  Mr.  Davis  brought  to  the  Drill  Hall  a 
remarkable  plant  of  Yanda  ccerulea,  but  many  visitors  on  that  day 
will  remember  it  still.  The  splendid  plant  was  carrying  numbers 
of  flowers  of  probably  the  richest  blue  that  has  ever  been  seen  in  a 
Vanda  flower  in  this  country.  Now  the  plant  is  in  good  condition, 
and  promises  to  produce  another  display  of  equal  merit  in  due 
course.  Magnificent  also  are  the  examples  of  V.  Lowi  and 
Sanderiana,  while  the  plants  of  Epidendrum  radicans,  E.  O’Brieni, 
and  E.  Wallisi  are  each  carrying  hundreds  of  their  charming 
flowers.  Three  feet  six  inches  by  two  feet  six  inches  is  the  size  of 
a  basket  occupied  by  a  specimen  of  Cattleya  Trianae,  which  mu9t  be 
a  beautiful  sight  when  in  flower.  Besides  these  are  Ljelia 
purpurata,  L.  elegans,  L.  tenebrosa,  Walton  Grange  variety  (not  in 
flower),  and  several  others  in  the  various  houses. 
The  last  structure  visited  is  one  used  apparently  as  a  sort  of 
show  house,  for  in  it  are  to  be  seen  several  Orchids  of  widely 
differing  natures.  There  are  plants  of  C&ttleya  citrina  with  their 
fragrant  flowers,  a  specimen  of  Oncidium  serratum  with  yards  of 
flower  spike,  varying  forms  of  Cypripedium  insigne,  Odontoglossum 
vexillarium  in  good  form,  0.  polyxanthum,  and  the  beautiful 
Cattleya  Lawrenceana,  with  a  plant  of  Cymbidium  Lowianum  now 
blooming  for  the  first  time.  The  variety  is  a  really  good  one,  the 
flowers  being  of  fine  form,  size,  and  colour.  Its  solitary  spike  is 
carrying  a  score  or  more  of  flowers.  Of  the  plants  not  in  flower, 
deserving  though  they  are,  space  cannot  be  found  for  mention,  so 
they  must  stand  over  until  fortune  takes  another  Orchid  visitor  to 
Glebelands. 
Before  concluding,  reference  may  justly  be  made  to  the  condi¬ 
tion  as  regards  cleanliness  of  the  plants,  pots,  baskets,  and  the 
structures.  In  this  respect,  many  growers  might  take  a  lesson 
from  Mr.  Davis,  for  cleanliness  prevails  throughout*  and  thus  the 
beauty  of  the  flowers  is  not  marred  or  totally  destroyed,  as  is  some¬ 
times  the  case,  by  dirt  on  the  leaves  or  the  receptacles  in  which  the 
plants  are  growing.  In  addition  to  improving  the  general  appear¬ 
ance,  this  grower  maintains  that  a  clean  pot,  pan,  or  basket  mate¬ 
rially  affects  the  well-being  of  plants  almost,  though  not  of  course 
quite,  as  much  as  does  the  cleanliness  of  the  foliage. — H,  W. 
JOTTINGS  ABOUT  WATERING. 
Unless  we  are  fortunate  enough  to  get  copious  rains  before 
these  lines  appear  in  print,  the  hose  and  the  water  pot  will  require 
to  be  kept  constantly  going  to  prevent  disaster  in  the  case  of  many 
garden  crops.  Foremost  among  the  many  things  to  claim  attention 
is  the  watering  of  wall  trees.  Already  I  find  newly  set  fruit  on 
orchard  trees  is  dropping  through  lack  of  moisture  at  the  roots  ; 
this  is  a  decided  warning  note  that  wall  trees  must  be  attended  to 
at  once.  Where  they  have  not  already  been  mulched  it  is  a  good 
plan  to  mulch  before  water  is  given,  especially  on  light  lumpy  soils. 
Having  such  a  soil  to  deal  with  I  find  that  almost  everything 
is  benefited  by  the  addition  of  stimulating  food  whenever  water 
is  given,  and  as  we  are  fortunate  in  having  a  tank  constantly 
filled  with  liquid  manure,  it  is  seldom  that  any  crop  is  watered 
without  using  some  of  it.  We  do  not  aim  at  giving  it  in  a 
very  concentrated  form,  only  placing  a  couple  of  4  gallon  cans 
full  in  a  36  gallon  barrel,  but  this  is  enough  to  prevent  a  light  soil 
when  constantly  watered  from  becoming  poor.  I  believe  that 
almost  all  the  evils  which  happen  to  crops  growing  in  light  soil 
may  be  traced  to  want  of  feeding.  Whenever  I  find  anything  in 
a  struggling  state  high  feeding  becomes  the  order  of  the  day,  and 
it  is  not  often  that  the  treatment  fails.  Many  a  valuable  crop  of 
fruit  may  be  saved  by  liberally  watering  the  trees  at  once.  In  the 
case  of  Peaches  I  fear  thin  crops  are  more  often  the  result  of 
dryness  at  the  roots  at  blossoming  time  or  immediately  after  than 
of  sharp  frosts,  especially  in  those  instances  where  slight  protection 
is  given. 
Peas  and  Broad  Beans  among  vegetable  crops  will  well  repay 
for  close  attention  in  the  matter  of  watering.  No  matter  how 
bright  the  weather  is,  if  these  are  thoroughly  watered  with  liquid 
manure  the  very  best  results  may  be  obtained  ;  indeed,  during  a 
season  of  prolonged  drought  the  skilful  and  thorough  cultivator 
knows  full  well  that  his  produce  is  shown  up  to  the  greatest  advan¬ 
tage,  because  it  is  then  that  the  great  test  between  high-class  and 
slipshod  culture  comes.  Lettuces  and  Radishes  too  ought  to  be 
freely  watered,  otherwise  the  freshness  and  crispness  which  is  so 
important  is  wanting.  In  regard  to  Lettuce,  during  dry  weather  I 
find  it  an  excellent  plan  to  keep  a  few  dozens  of  the  earliest  plants 
thoroughly  watered.  This  not  only  insures  the  requisite  crispness, 
but  also  pushes  them  well  ahead  of  the  unwatered  plants,  and 
thus  secures  a  succession. 
In  the  flower  garden  we  have  been  obliged  to  water  freely 
during  the  last  few  days,  as  Yiolas  were  plainly  showing  that  such 
attention  was  needed  ;  and  I  have  proved  over  and  over  again  that 
on  our  light  soil  it  is  only  by  watering  copiously  and  feeding 
liberally  that  they  can  be  flowered  successfully  throughout  the 
summer.  Myosotis,  Wallflowers,  Daisies,  Silene,  Pansies,  and 
Aubrietias  have  all  required  watering.  The  Aubrietias,  however, 
will  endure  a  considerable  amount  of  dryness  at  the  root  without 
injury.  As  spring  flowering  plants  we  have,  I  think,  nothing  to 
surpass  them.  Roses  on  walls  we  have  lately  watered  thoroughly 
with  liquid  manure  from  the  tank  into  which  the  drainings  of  the 
stables  are  conveyed,  and  their  glossy  leaves  and  fast  opening  buds 
show  plainly  that  they  like  the  treatment.  Adam  and  Madame 
Lambard  have  given  us  our  first  Roses  on  this  year’s  wood.  Due 
de  Majenta,  The  Bride,  and  Madame  Berard  are  following  closely. 
— H.  D. 
VIOLET  CULTURE. 
It  was  my  original  intention  to  head  this  article  “  Profitable 
Yiolet  Culture.”  As  a  matter  of  fact,  Yiolet  culture  partakes 
very  much  of  the  character  of  a  lottery.  In  some  instances  the 
flowers  can  be  profitably  grown,  but  in  others  there  is  little  pay 
attached  to  them.  At  the  same  time  they  are  in  great  demand. 
Last  season  was  one  of  the  best  on  record  as  far  as  the  grower 
of  open-air  Yiolets  is  concerned.  The  plants  in  most  instances 
commenced  flowering  in  September,  and  the  supply  was  carried  on 
without  a  break  up  till  the  middle  of  April.  They  must  have  paid 
very  well  indeed,  or,  after  deducting  working  expenses,  something 
like  £130  per  acre.  It  is  only  fair  to  add  that  this  was  not  a 
general  experience,  owing  to  the  drought  of  1895  having  nearly 
killed  whole  breadths  of  plants.  The  other  side  of  the  picture  is 
further  darkened  by  the  fact  that  the  winter  of  1894  and  1895  was 
a  very  disastrous  one  indeed  for  open-air  Yiolet  growers,  such  a 
long  spell  of  severe  frost  reducing  all  the  leaves  and  buds  to  pulp. 
An  average  profit  would,  therefore,  be  anything  but  attractive,  or, 
say,  under  moderately  favourable  circumstances,  about  £50  per 
acre. 
Less  than  1-acre  plots  are  of  little  avail  if  wholesale  culture  is 
intended,  and  3  or  4  acres  can  be  worked  more  effectively,  without 
a  great  increase  in  the  working  expenses.  A  very  strong  soil  is 
not  suitable,  nor  can  the  plants  be  depended  upon  in  low-lying 
positions. 
The  most  profitable  beds  I  have  yet  met  with  are  on  com¬ 
paratively  steep  banks  sloping  south.  This  would  perhaps  be 
about  the  last  spot  most  beginners  would  select  for  Yiolet  culture, 
and  during  hot  and  dry  seasons  the  plants  do  present  a  sorry 
appearance,  yet  they  yield  fairly  large  flowers  freely,  commencing 
early  and  holding  out  till  late  in  the  season.  Limestone  rock 
prevails,  and  the  shallow  surface  soil  has  abundance  of  gravel 
mixed  with  it.  In  this  particular  instance  the  ground  is  seldom 
given  a  rest,  manure  is  only  sparingly  ploughed  in,  no  mulching  is 
given,  and  the  hoe  is  used  occasionally  for  keeping  down  weeds,  as 
the  surface  never  binds  or  cracks. 
Finer  flowers,  requiring  fewer  to  the  bunch  and  fetching 
slightly  better  prices  are  produced  by  plants  grown  on  flatter,  richer 
ground  than  can  usually  be  found  on  sloping  banks,  but  the  plants 
suffer  during  a  severe  winter. 
