372 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  4,  1899, 
Masderallia  O’Bricniana,  with  Dendrobiums  crepidatum,  micans 
giganteum,  strffitius  and  Nestor.  Messrs.  H.  Low  &  Co.,  Bush  Hill  Park, 
Lnfield,  contributed  a  collection  of  miscellaneous  Orchids,  in  «hich 
Cattleyaa  were  conspicuous.  W.  Cobb,  Esq.,  Tunbridge  Well.®,  sent 
Odontoglossum  friumphans,  Dulcote  var.,  and  Cypiipedium  Goweri 
magnificnni.  Mr.  F,  Burton,  Gainsborough,  showed  Cypripedium 
porphyrites,  a  hybrid  of  which  the  parentage  is  unknown.  Mr.  W. 
Stevens,  gardener  to  W.  Thompson,  Esq.,  Walton  Grange,  Stone,  Staffs, 
sent  some  superb  Odontoglossums.  including  polyxanthum  giganfcura, 
excellens  luteum,  luteo-purpureum,  sceptrum  Steve  nsi  liuckerianum 
ocellatuna,  with  ono  or  two  varieties  of  crispum  and  Lselio-Caltieya 
Hyppolyta  aurantiaca. 
Mr.  S.  Cook,  gardener  to  de  Barri  Crawshay,  Esq.,  Kosefield,  Seven- 
rfa  represented  by  a  collection  of  Orchids,  mainly  comprising 
Odoiitoglossums.  Of  these  the  most  conspicuous  were  Ruckerianum 
Roseneldiensis,  triumphans  Rosefield  Emperor,  Andersonianum  Raymond 
Crawshay’,  A.  Miss  de  Barri  Crawshay,  and  nevadense.  Mr.  Bond, 
gardener  to  C.  L.  N.  Ingram,  Esq.,  Godaiming,  sent  Lselio-Cattleya 
Sir  Wm  Ingram,  and  Mr.  J.  McBean,  Cooksbridge,  Odontoglossum 
excellens  McBeanianum.  Mr.  H.  J.  Chapman,  gardener  to  R.  I. 
Measures,  Esq.,  Camberwell,  showed  Cypripedium  Thyedes.  Messrs.  J. 
Vmtch  &  Son,  Ltd.,  Chelsea,  staged  Epidendrum  ehgantulum  luteum, 
and  Dendrobium  crepidato-nobile.  There  were  one  or  two  other  ex¬ 
hibitors  of  Orchids. 
Awards. — Fruit  Committee  :  Silver-gilt  Knightian  medal  to  Mr. 
G.  Wythes,  V.M.H.  Orchid  Committee  :  Silver  Flora  medal  to  de  Barri 
.^rawshay.  Esq ,  and  Mr.  W.  Stevens ;  and  silver  Banksian  medals  to 
Mess«.  W.  H.  White  and  H.  Low  &  Co.  Narcissus  Committee  :  Silver- 
gilt  Flora  medal  to  R.  11  Bath,  Ltd. ;  silver  Flora  medal  to  Messrs. 
Barr  &  Sons  ;  and  silver  Banksian  medal  to  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.  Floral 
Committee  :  Silver-gilt  Flora  medal  to  Messrs.  Hogg  &:  Robertson  ; 
silver-gilt  Banksian  medals  to  Messrs.  H.  B.  May  and  Paul  &  S.n  ;  and 
T*  medals  to  Messrs.  G.  Mount,  G.  Jackman  &  Son,  and 
J,  Hill  &  Son. 
Certificates  and  Awards  of  Merit. 
Epidefidnm  clegantulum  luteum  (J.  Veitch  &  Sons,  L'd.). — This  is  a 
charming  flower  with  its  bright  yellow  sepals  and  petals  and  a  pure  white 
bp  (award  of  merit). 
Ill  Dorothy  Kingsmill  (A.  Kingsmill). — A  handsome  variety  of 
the  large  trumpet  section.  The  perianth  is  white,  and  the  long  trumpet 
sulphur-yellow  (award  of  merit). 
Narcissus  Cecily  Hill  (R.  Backbouse).-Tliis  flower  has  broad  epearay 
white  perianth  segments  and  a  flat  yellow  crown  edged  with  rich  orange 
(award  of  merit). 
Narcissus  Hespc) us  (G.  IT.  Englehearl). — This  is  a  striking  flower, 
mer't)*"^"^  very  bright  orange  and  the  perianth  cream  (award  of 
Narcissus  Manna  (G.  H.  Engleheart) — The  segments  are  creamy,  with 
a  canary,  very  broad  and  open  tube  (award  of  merit). 
Odontoglossum,  excellens  McBeanianum  (J.  McBean).  —  A  handsome 
variety.  Ihe  yellow  is  very  bright,  as  are  the  chocolate  maikings  (award 
of  merit). 
Odontoglossum  Andersonianum  Raymond  Crawshay  (do  B.  Crawshay). — 
A  very  attractive  form.  The  whole  of  the  organs  have  numerous  red 
merU)°°  cream  ground  save  at  the  tips  and  at  the  margins  (award  of 
Odont^lossum  Andersonianum  Mrs,  de  Barri  Crawshay  (de  Barri  Craw- 
8  ay).  This  is  a  lovely  Orchid.  The  sepals  and  petals  are  pale  cream 
with  occasional  red  spots.  The  lip  is  yellow  with  a  large  chocolate 
crimson  blotch  (award  of  merit). 
Odontoglossum  Ruckerianum  rosefieldiensis  (do  B.  Crawshay).  —  The 
purple  in  this  variety  is  very  deep,  and  the  spots  effectively  placed 
(award  of  merit).  •'  r?  t-  j  f 
Richardia  (Calla)  Rcntlandi,  Bring  Park  variety  CE.  Hill) —This  is  a 
superb  variety  of  the  richest  yellow  ;  the  spathe  is  large  sized  with  a 
renexing  edge  (award  of  merit). 
Richardia  (^Calla)  suffusa  (E.  Hill). — The  colour  of  this  is  soft  cream 
with  a  deep  purple  throat  (award  of  merit). 
THE  YOraa  GARDENERS’  DOMAIN. 
Asparagus  in  Beds. 
^  The  Asparagus  is  one  of  the  choicest  vegetables  in  cultivation,  and 
more  or  less,  in  every  gentleman’s  garden.  Not  only’  is  it 
valuable  for  outdoor  culture,  but  also  for  forcing,  and  it  is  much  appreciated 
when  the  young  heads  are  sent  to  the  table  early  in  the  year.  When, 
owever,  it  is  produced  in  the  open  better  heads  and  a  sweeter  flavour 
are  insured.  There  are  two  methods  of  growing  it  outdoors.  One  is 
on  a  raised  bed  and  the  other  on  the  level  ground,  and  so  far  as  my 
experience  goes  the  former  is  much  the  belter  plan  to  adopt. 
I  bad  tbe  good  fortune  to  serve  for  five  years  under  a  very  successful 
grower  of  Asparagus.  We  had  six  raised  beds,  occupying  (alleys  included) 
about  12  rods.  Each  bed  was  4  feet  wide,  with  18-inch  dividing  alleys. 
They  had  been  made  upwards  of  tw’enty  yc  ars,  and  the  number  of  heads 
produced,  year  by  year,  during  my  term  of  service  was  wonderful.  I  am 
sure  thousands  must  have  been  cut  and  taken  to  the  kitchen  each  season, 
yet  there  was  always  an  abundance  of  growth  left  to  mature.  The  soil 
was  of  a  rather  light  nature,  though  sufficiently  adhesive  to  hold  ample 
moisture.  In  the  early  spring  about  an  inch  of  the  surface  soil  of  each 
bed  was  raked  off,  so  that  the  tender  heads  should  have  less  resistance  in 
coming  through,  and  also  that  the  warmth  of  the  sun  might  more  easily 
reach  the  plants.  After  this  had  been  done  a  good  s}  rinkling  of  salt  was 
given  for  the  benefit  of  the  plants,  and  to  help  keep  weeds  in  check.  As 
the  season  advanced  and  the  demand  for  supplies  became  greater  tbo 
drainings  from  a  cow  shed  were  applied,  afterwards  giving  a  watering 
with  clear  water  to  cleanse  the  young  growths.  The  beds  were  kept 
scrupulously  clean  from  weeds  by  hand  pulling,  no  hoe  being  allowed,  as 
is  sometimes  the  case.  Several  wat;  rings  with  liquid  manure  were  given 
during  the  summer. 
As  the  autumn  approached,  and  the  growth  reached  maturity’,  the 
beds  were  thoroughly  cleared.  The  ripened  growth  was  cut  off  about 
4  inches  from  the  ground  and  burnt.  Then  the  top  soil,  to  the  depth  of 
the  crowns  (being  careful  not  to  injure  them  with  the  fork),  was  taken  off 
and  laid  in  the  alleys  ;  after  which  a  good  coating  of  farmyard  manure 
was  given  and  the  soil  replac-  d.  In  this  operation  the  sides  of  the  beds 
were  chopped  down,  and  made  even  and  neat,  as  also  were  the  ends.  Our 
“chief”  was  very  particular  in  having  the  sides  straight,  and  as  perpen¬ 
dicular  as  possible. 
It  w'as  my  privilege  to  a  sist  in  the  work  connected  with  the  above 
mentioned  beds  (with  the  exception  of  making),  and  what  I  have  here 
stated  is  as  nearly  as  possible  the  way  the  work  was  proceeded  with  year 
after  year.  Our  mode  of  culiivation  may  not  correspond  with  others,  but 
I  consider  it  thoroughly  good.  I  might  mention  that  Lettuces  were  grown 
in  the  alleys  — a  row  being  planted  down  the  centre.  Thus  as  much  space 
as  possible  was  taken  advantage  of. — Aspirant. 
Watering. 
I  CONSIDER  plant  watering  to  be  the  most  important  operation 
done  under  glass.  In  some  establishments  youths  are  entrusted  to  do  this 
work,  and  if  a  sharp  eye  is  not  kept  on  them  woe  betide  four-fifths  of 
the  plants  that  come  within  reach  of  the  waterpot.  I  would  much  rather 
see  badly  potted  plants  in  the  charge  of  a  caretul  and  competent  waterer, 
than  plants  excellent'y  potted  in  perfect  compost  under  the  care  of  an 
inexperienced  youth.  Very  frequently  plants  that  hive  been  repotted 
are  watered  much  too  soon,  which  is  a  grievous  error. 
Let  me  give  an  illustration  of  my  method  of  procedure.  A  short 
lime  ago  I  repotted  several  hundreds  of  Chrysanthemums  that  are 
intended  to  produce  exhibition  blooms,  and  I  did  not  water  them  until 
eight  days  after,  the  syringe  only  being  used.  The  plants  were  watered 
the  night  prior  to  their  transference  from  60’s  to  32-^ized  pots,  and  the 
soil  used  was  just  moist  enough  to  handle  without  stickiness. 
To  emphasise  my  meaning  I  will  quote  another  illustration  of  good 
and  indifferently  watered  plants.  I  once  saw  a  splendid  collection  of 
Bouvardias  and  Euphorbia  jacquiniieflora  deluged  with  water  immediately 
after  being  repotted  to  5-inch  pots  in  July.  The  weather  was  somewhat 
dull  and  cold  at  the  time,  and  the  plsnts  were  in  nnheated  frames — the 
only  place  available  at  the  time.  The  result,  of  course,  can  easily  bo 
imagined.  The  new  soil  was  so  saturated  that  the  roits  refused  to  enter 
it.  The  plants  lingered  through  the  autumn,  but  refused  to  grow  even 
when  given  a  more  genial  temperature.  They  were  an  eyesore,  and 
splendid  examples  of  mismanagement. 
On  Sundays  the  watering  is  often  scamped,  and  the  plants  have  to 
pay  the  penalty.  In  some  gardens  the  whole  of  the  watering  and 
syringing  is  done  on  this  day  by  the  duty  mar,  the  plants  being 
probably  heavily  watered  on  Saturday  afternoon  to  lighten  Sunday 
work.  The  best  method  I  have  found  is  for  each  man  to  water  his 
own  charge  on  Sunday  as  on  weekday  mornings.  The  work  comes 
much  lighter  for  the  duty  man,  or  men,  if  the  glass  is  very  extensive. 
At  one  period  I  had  a  journeyman  under  me  who  was  a  very  “dry 
waterer,”  if  I  may  be  permitted  to  use  such  an  expression,  and  he  was 
particularly  afraid  on  Sunday  mornings  to  give  them  too  much  “lotion,” 
as  he  called  it.  He  was  watering  at  the  time  some  bush  Chrysanthemums, 
walking  along  the  rows,  and  just  giving  each  plant  something  less  than 
half  a  pint,  until  I  stopped  him.  This  method  of  watering  cannot  be  too 
strongly  condemned,  as  it  often  deceives  a  practical  man. — Foreman  X. 
Fuchsias. 
Fuchsias  are  among  the  prettiest  plants  that  arc  grown,  as,  although 
they  are  not  very  valuable  for  cut  flowers,  they  have  a  grand  appearance 
when  covered  with  blooms.  To  obtain  early  cuttings,  the  old  plants  should 
be  started  at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  with  a  temperature  of  60°  to  65°  at 
night,  65°  to  70°  by  day  ;  lightly  syringe  the  plants  twice  daily  with 
tepid  water  when  the  weather  is  bright,  doing  it  early  enough  for  the 
plants  to  become  dry  towards  night.  When  the  growths  are  about  aa 
inch  in  length  they  should  be  taken  off  so  that  a  little  of  the  old  wood 
will  be  attached  to  them  ;  carefully  trim  with  a  sharp  knife,  and  insert 
around  the  sides  of  small  OO’s,  about  five  in  each  pot,  in  a  compost  of 
equal  parts  of  loam,  leal  soil,  and  sand  ;  give  a  watering,  and  plunge  the 
pots  in  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse  in  a  house  with  a  temperature  of  65°  to  70° 
at  night,  70°  to  75“  by  day,  keeping  them  rather  close  for  a  few  days. 
When  the  cuttings  are  well  rooted  pot  them  singly  in  thumb  pots, 
using  a  similar  compost  to  that  advised  for  the  cuttings,  give  a  watering, 
and  afford  them  the  sa’ne  t*  roper ature.  As  the  plants  begin  to  grow  and 
the  roots  take  hold  of  the  soil  they  should  bo  removed  to  a  cooler  house 
with  a  night  temperature  of  60°  ;  syringe  them  twice  daily  when  the 
weather  is  bright,  as  this  will  keep  thiips  and  green  fly  in  check.  Whea 
they  have  a  fair  amount  of  roots  transfer  them  into  5§-inch,  clean,  well- 
drained  pots,  using  a  compost  consisting  of  three  parts  loam,  one  leaf  soil, 
and  one  sweet  horse  droppings,  with  enough  sand  to  keep  it  porous,  and  a 
little  of  Thomson’s  Vine  manure  well  incorporated.  The  plants  should 
not  be  potted  too  deeply,  but  make  the  soil  firm  around  them,  place  a  neat 
