222 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
September  2,  1897. 
insects  beiny;  probably  moie  plentiful  than  in  Britain,  where  it  is 
local  or  occasional,  and  not  regarded  as  an  enemy.  Miss  Ormerod’s 
researches,  however,  brought  out  the  fact  that  it  might  damage  an 
Apple  crop  here,  specimens  of  the  lappet  caterpillar  being  sent  to  her 
in  May,  1893,  from  the  nurseries  at  King’s  Acre,  Hereford,  belonging 
to  i\Iessrs.  Cranston  &  Co.  The  grey  variety  had  been  taken  upon 
a  number  of  Apple  shoots,  which  were  stripped  of  all  leaves,  and 
even  the  ends  eaten  away. 
albing  along  a  garden  path  one  August  day  my  attention  was 
called  by  a  friend  to  some  delicate  little  moths  that  were  sitting  upon 
a  Hawthorn  hedge,  and  a  few  hours  later  they  were  disporting  them¬ 
selves  over  the  path  and  beds — adjacent  beds.  This  was  the  harmless 
species  Cilix  spinula,  which  reposes  with  the  wings  folded  in  roof¬ 
like  fiishion  over  the  body,  these  wings  being  pure  white  crossed  by  a 
brown  band,  with  also  a  double  row  of  smoky  spots  on  the  mar  in. 
dhis  is  not  all  observable.  In  the  centre  of  each  fore  wing  is  a  cluster 
of  silvery  scales,  which  fancy  comj)ared  to  Chinese  letters,  and  so  the 
moth  got  the  English  name  of  “  Chinese  Character.”  We  might  find 
the  caterpillars  in  June  if  we  wanted  them  ;  small  and  singular  they 
are,  really  worth  examining.  There  is  also  a  second  brood  in  Sep¬ 
tember  I  believe.  Each  has  the  body  very  much  wrinkled  and  brown  ; 
the  head  has  a  two-cleft  crown,  and  the  tivo  hind  claspers  are  joined 
into  a  spike^  which,  when  wal^iing  or  eating,  the  caterpillar  elevates  in 
the  air.  I  pon  a  twig  we  may  come  upon  the  compact  gummy 
cocoon  that  encases  the  chrysahs. 
Xo  need  is  there,  I  should  hope,  to  describe  the  bufif-tipj  moth 
(Phalera  buce^ihala),  for  every  observant  gardener  has  at  various 
times  seen  it  upon  the  trunk  of  a  tree  or  reposing  on  a  fence,  taking 
advantage  perhaps  of  a  sheltered  angle  in  a  house,  even  occasionally 
settled  on  some  low  plant.  By  day  the  wings  are  wrapiped  about  the 
body?  it  a  cylindrical  appearance,  the  tipi,  with  its  purple  and 
silvery  streaks  on  the  grey,  being  conspicuous.  It  is  a  good-sized 
moth  when  the  wings  are  expanded.  The  spiecies  is  able  to  fly  high 
and  at  a  tolerable  speed,  the  females  depiositing  their  eggs  on  many 
spiecies  of  trees  in  and  near  gardens,  often  on  Elm,  Lime,  and  Hazel, 
these  being  placed  in  batches  of  thirty,  forty,  or  more.  We  have  had 
reported  instances  where  the  caterpillars  have  occurred  on  the  Plum, 
clearing  the  higher  twigs  of  their  leaves.  When  the  weather  is  gusty, 
buflf-tip  caterpillars  are  frequently  blown  off  their  food,  and  fall  upon 
us  as  we  walk  under  trees ;  or  we  see  them  in  a  path,  hurrying  to 
escape  from  a  by-p^asser. 
It  is  one  of  the  few  caterpillars  that,  apparently,  attempts  to  bite 
if  annoyed.  hile  young  they  feed  together  in  small  pDarties  as 
hatched,  working  on  steadily  with  their  heads  close  together,  and 
their  tails  slightly  raised,  after  the  second  moult  they  sepjarate.  At 
the  beginning  of  August  they  are  full  grown,  and  display  black  and 
orange  stripes  on  a  yellow  ground  colour;  the  legs  are  deep  black, head 
also,  with  a  yellow  triangle  on  the  face.  When  undergoing  the 
chrysalis  change  they  simply  lie  on  the  earth,  or  just  beneath,  un¬ 
protected  by  any  cocoon,  and  are  therefore  easily  discovered  and 
removed,  lo  p^oultry  these  chrysalids  are  quite  a  dainty,  and  they 
hunt  them  eagerly  if  they  have  the  chance. — Entomologist. 
CALLAS. 
Shaking  Out  and  Repotting. 
When  the  plants  are  wholly  grown  in  pots  annual  attention  is  needed 
in  the  matter  of  supplying  them  with  fresh  soil.  The  readiest  method  is 
to  turn  out  the  plants  and  repot.  In  many  cases  the  drainage  will  have 
become  choked  with  soil  probably  washing  in  among  the  crocks.  The 
latter  should  be  picked  out,  and  the  old  inert  soil  shaken  away.  Whether 
the  crowns  are  potted  singly,  or  two  or  more  together,  it  is  well  to 
detach  the  young  and  weak  suckers  which  surround  them,  leaving  only 
the  strongest,  which  are  likely  to  throw  up  a  spathe  or  spathes. 
Eor  single  crowns  6,  7,  or  8-inch  pots  are  the  most  suitable.  For 
larger  pots  clumps  of  several  crowns  may  be  selected,  each  crown  a  strong 
one.  All  weak  growth  among  them  ought  to  be  pulled  out,  and  as  much 
of  the  old  soil  worked  out  as  can  be  done  without  separating  the  clump. 
In  some  cases  division  may  be  an  advantage,  especially  if  the  clumps  are 
very  large  and  have  been  long  in  one  pot.  Large  pots  may  be  made  up 
with  using  single  crowns  if  care  is  taken  in  spreading  out  the  roots  in  the 
compost,  not  crowding  them  in  one  mass  in  the  centre  of  pots. 
In  draining  the  pots  it  is  best  to  carefully  arrange  a  small  (quantity 
rather  than  introduce  too  much  haphazard.  Cover  the  crocks  with  a 
layer  of  flaky  manure,  and  over  this  a  slight  dusting  of  soot,  which  will 
prevent  the  entry  of  worms,  affording  also  a  little  food  for  the  roots  when 
they  reach  it  in  the  course  of  growth.  The  roots  ought  not  to  be  placed 
directly  on  the  soot.  A  layer  of  soil  must  first  be  introduced. 
I’he  compost  must  be  substantial  loam,  preferably  of  a  turfy  character, 
half  decayed,  and  readily  broken  up.  To  four  parts  of  this  *add  one  of 
decayed  manure,  with  sand,  charcoal,  and  a  dash  of  soot,  mixing  all  well 
together.  Each  bushel  of  compost  may  also  have  about  2  lbs.  of  some 
approved  general  fertiliser  intermixed.  Thomson’s,  Clay’s,  or  Standen’s 
are  good.  I’ot  moderately  firm,  especially  working  the  soil  in  well  auiong 
the  roots  when  the  latter  have  none  adhering  to  them.  Stand  the  pots 
in  the  shade  for  a  few  days,  choosing  a  moist  but  hard  base.  Give  a  good 
watering  immediately  after  the  potting,  so  that  those  which  have  been 
the  most  disturbed  will  not  droop  seriously.  Crowns  which  have  not 
advanced  far  in  growth  will  not  flag  at  all.. 
When  the  roots  begin  to  work  freely  in  the  compost  the  plants  may 
have  the  benefit  of  the  full  sunshine.  Attend  regularly  to  watering, 
maintaining  the  soil  in  a  healthfully  moist  state.  In  the  earliest  stages 
when  the  weather  is  dry  and  sunny,  syringing  daily  will  be  advantageous. 
The  plants  are  (juite  safe  and  better  outdoors  than  under  glass  until 
frosts  are  imminent  in  October,  when  they  had  better  be  housed  in  a  cool 
airy  structure,  and  have  abundance  of  light.  — E.  D.  S. 
BOWDEN  HILL  HOU^SE. 
Few,  if  any,  gardens  in  the  West  of  England  have  made  such  rapid 
progress  during  the  last  three  years  as  the  above,  the  country  residence 
of  Herbert  Harris,  Esq.  It  is  situated  on  a  hill  side,  five  miles  from 
Chippenham,  having  some  lovely  views  to  the  south  and  south-west,  and 
commanding  a  most  charming  outlook  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach  ;  it  is 
well  sheltered  on  the  north  and  north-east  by  shrubs  and  woodland, 
intermixed  with  large  and  healthy  specimens  of  Sequoia  gigantea, 
Austrian  Fines,  and  other  Coniferae.  The  pleasure  grounds  are  not 
extensive,  though  many  alterations  are  being  caiu’ied  out  to  improve 
them.  The  flower  beds  and  borders  are  very  bright  indeed  ;  the  specimen 
Fuchsias  which  are  plunged,  and  the  Ivy-leaved  “Geraniums”  trained 
over  arches,  showing  up  to  great  advantage. 
The  gardens  are  about  200  yards  distant  from  the  house,  through  the 
newly  planted  orchard,  which  contains  all  the  leading  varieties  of  kitchen 
and  dessert  Apples.  Between  the  rows  of  young  trees,  healthy  crops  of 
winter  and  spring  vegetables  look  quite  happy.  Here,  too,  is  to  be  seen 
a  large  batch  of  Fzar  Violets,  with  strong,  dark,  leathery  foliage,  which 
promise  to  render  a  good  account  of  themselves,  the  maiden  soil  evidently 
being  much  to  their  liking.  The  new  potting  sheds.  Mushroom  house, 
fruit  room,  packing  sheds,  all  of  which  have  been  erected  under  the 
supervision  of  i\Ir.  Fenton,  are  capital  structures  for  their  various  uses. 
Near  here  are  some  well-arranged  flower  beds  and  borders,  forming 
masses  of  brilliant  colours.  Chrysanthemums  look  promising  ;  part  of 
them  are  grown  for  large  blooms,  and  others  on  the  bush  system.  If 
hard,  well-ripened  wood  is  a  good  criterion,  surely  these  will  be  in  the 
ascendant  during  their  flowering  season.  On  entering  the  kitchen 
garden  proper,  the  beauty  of  the  border  Carnations  is  worth  going  a  long 
way  to  see,  but  as  these  have  been  previously  noted  in  these  columns,  I 
will  leave  them,  and  say  they  are  a  grand  lot,  of  which  the  energetic 
gardener  may  well  feel  proud. 
The  glass  structures,  some  eighteen  in  number,  consisting  of  vineries. 
Peach  houses,  Nlelon  and  Cucumber  houses,  ferneries.  Orchid  houses, 
with  a  good  number  of  heated  pits  and  frames,  are  all  filled  to  overflowing 
with  good  produce.  The  early  Vines  were  almost  cleared  of  their  fruit  ; 
the  later  ones  were  caiTying  good  crops  of  under  average  quality,  and 
not  to  the  satisfaction  of  Nlr.  Fenton.  Endeavour  is  being  made  by  root 
lifting  and  replanting  to  .rectify  the  serious  mistake  committed  by 
planting  young  Vines  in  too  large  and  rich  borders,  thereby  encouraging 
strong  and  succulent  growth  to  the  detriment  of  fruit-bearing  qualities. 
The  Peach  trees  are  practically  receiving  the  same  treatment,  gross 
growth  difficult  to  ripen  being  too  prevalent ;  Nlelons  and  C  ucumbers 
showing  full  crops  of  good  quality. 
Orchids  have  made  rapid  strides  during  the  last  three  years,  both  in 
quality  and  quantity,  large  numbers  of  imported  and  semi-established 
plants  having  been  added  to  the  collection.  All  are  doing  remai’kably 
well,  and  will  ere  long  form  one  of  the  largest  collections  in  the  West  of 
England.  In  the  Odontoglossuin  house  are  about  fiOO  crispums  and 
Fescatorei,  mostly  imported  and  doing  well,  as  well  as  some  Miltonia 
vexillaria.  Hanging  under  the  roof  glass  in  the  same  house  are 
Oncidium  Rogersi,  Dendrobium  infundibulum,  Masdevallia  Hoezli, 
iVE  bella,  M.  Backhousoana,  and  others.  An  intermediate  house  is  tilled 
with  Cymbidium  Lowianum,  C.  eburneum  (which  is  a  great  favourite 
with  Mrs.  Harris),  Sobralia  leucoxantha,  S.  xautholeuca,  8.  Veitchi,  and 
S.  macrantha,  with  fine  plants  of  Odontoglossuin  grande.  O.  citrosmum, 
and  Cattleya  citrina.  Then  there  is  practically  a  Dendrobium  house,  filled 
principally  with  good  pieces  of  nobile,  1).  Schrbderi,  D.  formosum 
giganteum,  D.  suavissimum,  D.  Brymerianum,  D.  chrysotoxum, 
D.  Fierardi,  1).  Dalhouseanum  ;  also  a  good  batch  of  Oncidium 
ampliatum  majus,  and  pans  of  seedling  Orchids.  Following  is  the 
Cattleya  house,  completely  crammed  with  healthy  inmates,  including 
such  varieties  as  C.  Harrisi,  C.  labiata,  C.  Lawrenceana,  C.  gigas, 
C.  aurea,  C.  Sanderiana,  C.  Warneri,  C.  Gaskelliana,  C.  Mendelli, 
C.  Triante,  C.  Leopoldi  guttata,  also  Vandas,  Lselia  anceps,  L.  a.  Stella, 
L.  a.  Sanderiana,  and  many  others. 
The  end  house  of  this  range  is  used  for  a  fine-foliage  plant  stove, 
consisting  chiefly  of  useful  sized  Crotons  and  Dractenas,  splendidly 
coloured  pieces.  Arranged  on  shelves  near  the  glass  I  noticed  useful 
Calanthes,  also  a  few  plants  of  the  Gold  Fern  (Gymnogramma)  which  are 
much  cherished  for  their  splendid  colour  and  dense  habit.  In  the  fernery 
we  meet  with  some  very  fine  specimens.  Adiantums  trapeziforme,  Law- 
sonianurn,  concinnum,  farleyense,  cardiochlsena,  and  cuneatum,  with 
Goniophlebium  appendiculatum,  all  really  good  specimens,  and  some  other 
varieties  that  would  soon  be  equally  as  good  had  they  more  room  to 
develop  themselves.  A  house  adjoining  the  fernery  is  at  present  used 
for  decorative  flowering  plants,  such  as  Lilies,  Tuberoses,  and  Begonias, 
and  is  used  later  for  winter  flowering  Carnations,  of  which  1  noticed 
