246 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
Seplemler  10,  1896, 
placed  back  in  the  house  at  once,  and  no  water  given  for  a  week. 
Then  give  one  good  soaking  and  allow  the  root*  to  run  fairly  dry 
before  giving  any  more. 
As  soon  as  young  roots  are  being  produced  the  water  supply 
must  be  increased  by  degrees,  and  after  a  few  weeks  they  will  take 
it  very  freely,  the  new  compost  running  dry  very  quickly.  Great 
care  is  necessary  when  the  flower  spikes  are  forming  to  keep  slugs 
away  from  them,  these  insects  being  specially  fond  of  this  section. 
If  any  doubt  exist  as  to  their  being  present  elevate  the  plants  on 
an  inverted  pot  placed  in  a  sancer  of  water,  or  use  one  of  the  pans 
mide  especially  for  this  purpose,  keeping  the  plants  well  apart 
from  others,  or  the  slugs  will  pass  over  the  foliage,  and  so  the  end 
in  view  is  frustrated . 
0.  Schlieperianum  is  usually  the  first  to  bloom,  and  this  produces 
several  large  flowers  on  a  scape,  pale  yellow  in  ground  colour,  with 
blotches  of  orange  or  reddish  brown  ;  the  variety  flavidum  being 
st  11  paler,  the  blotches  hardly  noticeable,  and  of  a  rather  deeper 
tint  than  the  ground  colour.  It  comes  from  the  neighbourhood  of 
Costa  Rica,  and  has  been  in  cultivation  since  1856.  0.  Insleayi  is  a 
variable  and  beautiful  kind,  of  which  O.  I.  leopirdinum  is  a  very 
fine  and  highly  coloured  form,  with  deep  shining  yellow  segments 
blotched  with  crimson,  the  lip  being  plentifully  spotted  with  a 
similar  hue.  0, 1,  splendens  lacks  the  large  bands  of  colour  on  the 
sepals  and  petals,  but  the  lip  is  similar  to  the  latter,  a  rare  and  most 
showy  variety. 
The  typical  O.  grande  is  too  well  known  to  need  description, 
and  is  generally  recognised  as  one  of  the  best  and  most  showy 
Odontoglossums  in  existence.  Several  varieties  are  in  cultivation, 
differing  more  or  less  from  the  type,  the  best  of  these  being 
0.  g.  magnificum,  0.  g.  superbum,  and  O.  g.  splendens.  0.  grande 
is  a  Guatemalan  species,  introduced  by  that  indefatigable  collector, 
Mr.  Skinner,  in  1839. 
Cypripedium  Schumi. 
This  well  known  and  beautiful  little  species  is  rarely  out  of 
bloom,  and  the  number  of  flowers  it  produces  in  a  year  is  truly 
remarkable  for  such  a  small  growing  plant.  It  belongs  to  the 
Selenipedium  set,  and  is  interesting  on  account  of  being  one  of  the 
patents  of  many  fine  and  beautiful  hybrids.  It  is  a  native  of  New 
Grenada,  where  it  was  found  by  the  collector  whose  name  it  bears, 
when  travelling  for  Mr.  Linden. 
As  it  grows  at  an  elevation  of  something  near  5000  feet  a  cool 
house  suits  it  best ;  a  shady  position  in  the  same  temperature  as 
recommended  for  the  grande  set  of  Odontoglossums  just  meeting 
its  requirements  exactly.  The  pots  in  which  it  is  grown  must  be 
two-thirds  filled  with  drainage,  as  abundance  of  water  is  needed  all 
the  year  round.  Equal  parts  of  peat  fibre  and  chopped  moss,  with 
a  little  loam  for  strong  plants,  and  abundance  of  crocks  and 
charcoal  will  suit  it  well,  and  the  best  time  to  repot  is  in  early 
spring.— H.  R.  R. 
RECENT  EVENTS. 
In  the  clear  and  comprehensive  report  (pages  200-203)  of  this  galaxy 
of  good  things  gathered  together  by  Severn’s  side — viz,,  the  Shrewsbury 
show,  we  have,  truly,  the  account  of  what  those  who  were  there  vented 
the’T  feelings  in  the  expression,  “  What  a  wonderful  show  1”  and  those 
who  were  not  will,  I  think,  agree  with  me  in  following  this  report  and 
reporter,  as  he  takes  us  through  from  start  at  groups  to  gold  medals 
at  the  finish,  in  agreeing  with  them  that  it  was  a  wonderful  show. 
Hence  we  are  all  agreed  that  it  was  a  wonderful  show — wonderful 
enough  to  have  left  its  mark  on  the  annals  of  horticulture,  as  well  as 
in  the  coffers  of  that  enterprising  Society.  It  has  afforded  pleasure  to 
thousands,  profit  (pecuniary)  to  many,  and,  thanks  to  our  descriptive 
guide,  both  pleasure  and  profit  to  us  stay-at-home  ones. 
Bravo  I  Shrewsbury.  Brave  old  town  1  Shades  of  Bolingbroke  and 
Hotspur,  who  contended  with  more  deadly  design  beneath  thy  walls, 
view  this  triumph  of  the  peaceful  art.  Vain  apostrophe  of  the  past ;  the 
present  is  our  concern,  and,  what  is  more  to  the  point,  the  point  judging 
as  analysed  on  page  193.  To  those  who  are  called  upon  to  jadge,  this 
part  of  the  programme  is,  to  my  mind,  the  most  valuable,  and  to  those 
who  come  to  judgment  a  feeling  of  confidence  should  ensue,  for  they 
have  now  judgment  with  law,  and  the  X  rays  of  the  Press  reveal  the 
inner  workings  of  the  machinery.  So  far  so  good  ;  and  very  good. 
It  is,  by  comparison  perhaps,  that  a  far  different  feeling  obtains  on 
reading  (page  195)  “Vegetable  Judging  at  the  Crystal  Palace,”  Far  be  it 
from  one  who  is  afar  off  to  prolong  the  agony  of  those  who  have  probably 
endured  uyi  mauvais  quatve  d'hevre  under  “  A.  D.’s  ”  smart  criticism, 
but  in  justice  to  exhibitors  one  should  neither  ignore  nor  undervalue  it. 
This,^  at  least,  is  an  example  of  judgment  without  law,  apparently  of 
judging  without  judgment.  _ 
As  this  example  is  thrown  in  deeper  shade  by  contrast  with  the  Shrews¬ 
bury  show  so  '8  the  latter  more  brilliant  by  comparison.  If  comparisons 
are  odious  they  are  often  necessary,  and  although  it  is  pleasanter  to 
praise  than  to  condemn,  and  certainly  far  easier,  it  is  necessary  to  expose 
an  evil  for  the  public  good,  however  disagreeable  the  duty  is  felt  to  be 
in  doing  it.  “A.  D.”  says,  “I  found  rare  fun  in  noting  the  judging." 
Now  “  A.  D.”  may  or  may  not  be  a  funny  man,  but  in  reading  between 
the  lines  of  his  critique  be  has,  I  am  sure,  but  one  object  in  view,  and 
that  is  the  abolition  of  "  the  incomprehensible,”  “  the  erratic,”  “  the 
inconsistent.”  Where  there  is  room  for  improvement  in  judicial 
decision  there  is  room  for  criticism,  and  such  criticism  as  “  A.  D." 
employs  was  doubtless  a  strong  incentive  to  the  creation  of  the  code  of 
rules  we  are  indebted  to  the  R.H.S.  for.  “  Point  Judging  at  Shrews¬ 
bury”  points  a  practical  lesson  to  those  who  enter  upon  judicial  duties 
in  a  perfunctory  manner.  It  points,  too,  the  necessity  of  having  clear 
worded  schedules,  with  a  rigid  enforcement  of  the  rules,  without  which 
that  event  of  events  could  hardly  have  been  carried  out  in  a  “  superb 
manner.” — V  ESP  A. 
HARVEST  FESTIVAL  CHURCH  DECORATIONS. 
At  this  season  of  the  year  there  must  be  many  of  your  readers 
who  are  interested  in  the  decoration  of  churches  for  harvest 
festivals.  An  interchange  of  opinions  and  experiences  through  the 
medium  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  should  be  interesting.  I 
enclose  a  photo  (fig.  49)  of  our  pulpit,  taken  last  year.  It  is  unfor¬ 
tunately  not  a  perfect  representation,  as  it  was  partly  dismantled 
when  the  photo  was  taken,  Yoar  readers  must  imagine  round  the 
pulpit  top  a  border  of  bunches  of  green  Grapes — the  kind  sent  over 
from  abroad  at  this  season  in  large  quantities — and  foliage.  The 
branches  attached  to  the  pulpit  lights  are  filled  with  pink  Gladioli 
and  Ferns.  The  wreathing  round  parts  of  the  pulpit  are  long  sprays 
of  some  green  creeper  grown  in  a  greenhouse,  the  name  of  which  I 
do  not  know.  The  bottom  of  the  pulpit  is  draped  with  wild 
Clematis  (“  Old  Man’s  Beard  ”)  in  its  autumn  state.  Siberian  Crab 
Apples,  acorns,  and  Mountain  Ash  berries  may  be  noticed  intro¬ 
duced  here  and  there  with  good  effect ;  Oats,  Wheat,  and  Barley 
are  also  in  evidence.  The  diaper  work  is  put  on  frames  made  to  fit 
the  pulpit  panels,  wire  being  used  to  fasten  it.  The  groundwork 
of  the  frames  is  chocolate  twill.  The  pulpit  dark  oak.  A  corner 
of  the  temporary  chancel  screen  may  be  noticed  in  the  background. 
-A.  C.  B, 
Once  more  the  season  has  arrived  when  throughout  the  length 
and  breadth  of  our  land  the  ingathering  of  the  harvest  will  be 
celebrated  by  services  of  thanksgiving,  when  the  tillers  of  the  soil 
will  unite  with  all  other  classes  in  rendering  thanks  to  the  Creator 
for  the  blessings  of  a  bountiful  harvest.  Such  a  time  is  naturally 
one  of  rejoicing  as  well  as  of  thanksgiving  ;  it  is  therefore  befitting 
that  our  churches  should  be  bedecked  with  flowers,  fruits,  and  all 
that  is  most  beautiful  in  the  wealth  of  vegetation  that  surrounds 
us.  These,  however  employed,  will  always  create  a  pretty  effect 
not  to  be  obtained  by  other  mean* ;  but  when  skill  and  taste  are 
displayed  in  their  arrangement  we  may  rest  satisfied  that  we  have 
done  our  best  to  beautify  the  house  of  God,  Having  had  a 
considerable  amount  of  experience  in  the  pleasing  work  of  church 
decoration,  I  am  tempted  to  offer  a  few  remarks  upon  the  subject 
in  the  hope  that  they  may  be  useful  to  others  requiring  timely 
hints. 
To  my  mind  there  is  now  a  tendency,  especially  in  the  churches 
of  our  towns,  to  make  harvest  festival  decorations  too  much  like 
those  carried  out  at  other  seasons,  whereas  I  think  they  should 
have  quite  a  distinct  character.  This  can  be  secured  by  employing 
largely  the  many  “  fruits  of  the  earth  ”  instead  of  relying  to  a  great 
extent  upon  the  “flowers  only.”  At  no  season  of  the  year  have 
we  such  a  variety  of  material  for  forming  a  unique  display,  and 
of  showing  in  a  realistic  way  the  plenty  with  which  this  land  is 
blessed. 
In  dealing  with  the  practical  part  of  the  matter,  the  simplest 
way  will  perhaps  be  to  take  in  turn  the  various  parts  of  the  church 
which  receive  the  principal  attention,  and  give  a  few  hints  as 
method  of  decoration,  and  materials  suitable  for  carrying  it  out, 
though,  of  course,  in  the  latter  instances  we  have  generally  to 
make  the  best  we  can  of  the  materials  at  command.  The  com¬ 
munion  table,  though  occupying  a  central  position,  should  not  be 
overloaded  with  decoration,  but  everything  placed  upon  it  should 
be  of  the  best.  In  the  centre  may  be  arranged  a  bold  mass  of 
choicest  fruits  ;  a  shallow  basket  or  tray  is  convenient  to  arrange 
them  in.  The  finest  Apples  and  Pears  will  form  the  groundwork, 
in  front  a  well  grown  Melon  shows  off  to  advantage,  and  placed  on 
a  sloping  tier  at  the  back  of  this,  bunches  of  black  and  white 
Grapei  look  conspicuous,  and  a  few  highly  coloured  Peaches  should 
if  possible  be  obtained  to  crown  the  whole.  The  base  of  the  basket 
or  tray  should  be  freely  covered  with  coloured  leaves,  Vine  leaves 
having  the  preference,  failing  these  those  of  Ampelopsis,  Berberit 
Darwini,  or  others  of  good  colour  answer  well  ;  dotted  here  and 
