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JOURXAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
May  7,  1903. 
large  number  of  plants  almo.st  at  the  flowering  stage,  which  are 
hyb^rids  between  Brassavola  (Leelia)  Digbyana  and  species  of 
the  genera  Lfelia  and  C'attleya.  Thus  L.  elegans,  C.  Eldorado, 
C.  Lawrenceana,  C’.  purpnrata.  and  L.  crispa  have  all  been  used 
along  with  Brassavola  Digbyana.  These  hybrids  are  termed 
Brasso-Laelia,  or  Brasso-Cattleya,  according  to  Die  alternative 
genera. 
The  Odontoglossnm  house  tand  Odontoglqssirms  are  special 
favourites  cf  the  Colonial  Secretary)  contains  2,000  splendid 
plants,  many  of  them  now  in  flower.  Masdevallias,  too,  are 
numerously  cultivated,  and  have  a  house  to  themselves.  Laelia 
anceps  and  its  varieties  fill  an  entire  structure,  while  the 
Miltonias  and  warm-house  Odontoglossums,  Epidendrums,  and 
Oncidiums,  with  Nanodes  Medusae,  complete  yet  another 
dimsion.  The  sunk  span-roofed  pit  containing  Phalfenopses  in 
varied  numbers  seems  to  be  a  very  suitable  place  for  their 
growth.  In  the  same  pit  are  plants  of  the  white-flo\yered 
Diacrum  bicornutum,  Oncidium  Papilio,  and  other  subjects. 
Some  Coelogynes  in  monster  pans  were  evidently  famous  for 
their  floriferousness,  and  one  had  carried  so  many  as  500  flowers 
last  year.  This  plant  was  nearly  5ft  in  diameter.  Thunias  and 
Calaiithes  were  seen  in  cjuantities,  and  in  excellent  condition. 
While  in  South  Africa  on  his  recent  tour  Mr.  Chamberlain 
was  the  recipient  of  some  large  collections  of  Cape  Orchids — 
Disa  grandiflora,  Ceropegias,  and  Ansellia  africana  amongst  the 
number;  and  some  of  these  were  seen  on  the  stages  of  the 
Highbury  plant  houses.  Others  had  been  sent  to  Kew.  It  was 
strangely  interesting  to  see  the  roots  of  the  Ansellia  actually 
penetrating  the  solid  block  of  wood  to  which  it  was  attached. 
The  dissolving  power  of  the  root-tips  was  finely  exemplified  by 
this  instance.  Mr.  Chamberlain  certainly  possesses  one  of  tlie 
finest  and  most  valuable  Orchid  collections  in  the  British 
Islands. 
The  Week’s  Cultural  Notes. 
Deudrobium  Phalsenopsis  and  its  varieties,  having  taken  a 
good  rest,  will  soon  be  starting  to  grorv,  and  the  plants  may  be 
repotted  where  necessaiw.  The  best  way  to  grow  this  .species 
is  in  very  small  pots  or  baskets,  these  being  suspended  at  such 
a  distance  from  the  glass  that  the  upper  portion  of  the  old  bulbs 
is  about  a  foot  clear  of  it.  Strong  heat,  abundant  atmospheric 
moisture,  and  judicious  root  watering  are  necessary,  and  only 
sufficient  shading  to  break  the  force  of  the  sun’s  rays  at  midday. 
Plants  grown  in  shade  are  not  satisfactory  long,  thougli  at 
first,  they  may  appear  vei’y  luxuriant. 
There  are  several  other  of  the  Australian  group  that  require 
similar  treatment,  such  as  the  showy  D.  bigibbum  and  D. 
superbiens,  D.  taurinuni.  D.  stratioides  (the  Soldier  Orchid),  D. 
Johnsoniae,  and  D.  strehloceras.  None  of  them  like  a  lot  of 
compost  about  the  roots,  these  preferring  to  grow*  lightly 
matted  together,  and  overflow  the  pots,  as  it  were.  Just  as  the 
growths  reach  the  cup-like  shape  when  a  few  inches  in  length, 
a  good  deal  of  care  must  be  exercised  in  applying  overhead 
moisture,  as  it  lodges  in  the  top,  and  leads  to  damping ;  but  at 
all  other  times  the  plants  enjoy  light  syringing,  especially  in 
the  afternoon  of  bright  .summer  days,  when  closing  the  house. 
Whether  Phalaenopses  should  be  repotted  or  not  depends 
upon  the  weather  a  good  deal.  It  is  better  to  do  the 
work  early,  provided  the  atmosphere  can  be  kept  right  after¬ 
wards;  but  if  dull,  with  cold  Avinds  and  rain,  leave  them  alone 
until  the  middle  of  the  present  month.  No  Orchids  are  more 
susceptible  of  injury  at  the  roots  than  these,  therefore  do 
not  disturb  them  unless  absolutely  necessary,  and  take  all 
precautions  against  injury  to  them.  By  drawing  out  the  ryires 
at  the  corners  of  the  baskets  these  may  be  taken  aAvay  piece¬ 
meal,  there  being  in  this  much  less  risk  of  injury  than  if  the 
plants  are  forcibly  removed. 
Pieces  of  the  basket  that  have  roots  firmly  attached  to  them 
may  in  some  cases  be  introduced  entire  into  the  new  one ;  but 
Avhen  it  becomes  necessary  to  detach  the  roots,  it  may  be 
usually  managed  by  soaking  first  in  warm  Avater,  and  then 
gently  moved  by  passing  a  thin-bladed  knife  underneath. 
Nothing  but  clean  groAA’ing  sphagnum  points  should  be  used  for 
these  Orchids,  excepting  the  crocks  for  drainage  and  division 
of  the  former.  These  Avill  keep  groAving  in  the  moist  heat,  and 
by  their  nature  attract  the  atmospheric  moisture,  giving  it  off 
again  in  the  nice  proportions  needed  by  the  roots. — H.  R.  R. 
French  Flower  and  Fruit  Traffic. 
It  has  been  decided,  says  the  “  Liverpool  Daily  Courier,” 
in  consequence  of  the  continued  groAvth  of  the  French  flower 
and  fruit  traffic,  to  run  tAvo  ci'oss-Channel  cargo  steamers  from 
Calais  on  four  clays  each  week,  aiid  the.se  commencecl  this  month. 
The  neAv  large  cargo  boats.  Deal  and  Maidstone,  aaTII  be  run  on 
these  serAdees,  one  leaving  at  eight  o’clock  at  night  and  the 
other  at  eleven  o’clock.  To  facilitate  handling,  the  packages 
Avill  be  placed  in  large  crates,  Avhich  aaTU  be  dealt  Avith  by  cranes 
instead  of  hand  labour.  As  man5^  as  14,000  packages  of  floAA'ers 
and  fruit  have  been  carried  by  one  boat. 
What  a  change  has  taken  place  in  this  once  favoured  class 
during  the  past  fcAV  years;,  at  one  time  n^ariy  all  our  neAv 
Roses  belonged  to  it,  and  now  Ave  find  for  this  year  only  a  few. 
We  still  have  one  of  the  old  growers,  the  well-knoAvn  firm  of 
Leveque,  sending  out  some  novelties,  but  Ave  must  Avait 
patiently  to  see  Avhether  they  are  of  real  value.  They  are  as 
follows  : — 
Cajntaim  Jouen  (Bontigny).^ — Very  large,  full  flower,  of  a 
beautiful  bright  red. 
Commandant  Felix  Faure  (Bontigny). — Dark  red,  shaded 
with  bright  vermilion,  full,  large  globular  floAver.  It  obtained 
a  first  prize  at  the  Paris  Exhibition  of  1900. 
Cemral  Voyron  (Leveque). — Large,  full,  well-shaped  flower, 
bright  carmine-red,  sometimes  light  red. 
Madame  dii  Courtot  (Viorneron).  — Very  large  flower,  carried 
on  a  very  firm  footstalk  ;  white  tinged  with  red,  sometimes 
light  I'ed.  Sport  from  Archduchesse  Elisabeth  d’Autriche. 
Madame  Lea  Rousseau  (Leveque).  —  Large,  full,  perfectly 
shaped  flower,  bright  vermilion  I’ed,  shaded  with  purple  and 
brown  ;  very  brilliant  colour. 
Mo7isieur  Hayashi  (Leveque).  —  Large,  full,  well-formed 
floAver,  carmine-red,  shaded  Avith  soft  purple  ;  fine  variety. 
Mo7isieur  Louis  Ricard  (Bontigny). — A  very  large  flower, 
carrying  itself  Avell ;  dark  velvety  purple,  shaded  Avith  bright 
vermilion. 
Schneerose  (.Jakobs). — A  large,  pure  white  flower,  carried  on 
a  firm  footstalk  ;  very  free  flowering ;  good  for  cutting. 
Seedling  from  Merveille  de  Lyon. 
Souvenir  de  MacKinley  (Godard).  —  Short  bud,  large,  full 
solitar}'  flower ;  pale  flesh  rose,  shading  to  white.  Cross 
betAveen  Magna  Cnarta  and  Captain  Christy. 
As  none  of  these  Roses  have  been  exhibited  in  England,  Ave 
must  only  take  the  raisers’  descriptions,  and  we  can  only  hope 
that  some  of  the  brighter  coloured  flowers  may  be  an  accept¬ 
able  addition  to  our  already  numerous  varieties. — D.,  Deal. 
Cactaceous  Plants. 
[Continued  from  p.  361.) 
The  Echinocereus  are  classed  among  the  Cereus  by  Eng¬ 
lish  botanists;  but  for  cultural  purposes,  at  any  rate,  they  are 
be.st  kept  separate.  They  are  very  different  in  form  to  the 
Cereus,  being  very  dAvarf  and  much  branched ;  some  are  decum¬ 
bent.  The  stems  are  very  soft,  and  are  generally  protected  with 
numerous  sharp  spines,  Avhich  in  some  species  are  very  handsome. 
The  floAvers  are  similar  to  the  Cereus  in  structure.  In  colour  they 
are  yery  much  more  striking,  generally,  and  have  the  valuable 
quality  of  opening  for  several  days  in  .succession.  The  folloAving 
are  .some  of  the  best:  Echinocereus  rigidi.ssimus,  mageaita  shaded 
to  Avhite,  Avith  a  green  centre;  Conglomeratus,  peculiar  satiny 
lilac  ;  Fendleri,  delicate  flesh  colour,  very  fine  ;  Salmiana,  beautiful 
red,  of  fine  form;  Englemanni  ami  the  varieties  of  Coespitosus 
are  very  handsome,  in  or  out  of  flower.  The  Echinocereus  require 
full  sunlight,  and  retpiire  plenty  of  Avater  Avhen  groAA’ing.  Echino¬ 
cereus  mojavensis  is  quite  hardy  ;  also  C.  viridiflorus,  and  others. 
The  Echinopses  consist  of  about  thirty  species,  all  natives 
of  South  America.  In  appearance  they  resemble  the  Echino- 
cactus,  but  may  be  di.stin,guished  from  them  by  their  usually  long 
trumpet-, shaped  floAvers  being  formed  Ioav  doAvn  the  sides  of  the 
plant.  Eyre.si,  oxygona,  and  multiplex  are  Brazilian  si>ecies, 
Avhich  bear  extremely  beautiful  floAvers.  E.  formosa  is  a  very 
distinct,  sloAV-groAving,  cylindrical  species  from  the  Argentine 
Republic.  I  have  a  specimen  under  my  charge  Avhich  has  been 
groAvn  in  this  country  for  over  sixty-five  years.  It  is  only  25'.i\ 
high,  Avith  a  diameter  of  Gin ;  thus,  it  cannot  liaA'e  made  on  an 
average  more  than  half-an-inch  of  groAvth  per  annum.  It  Avas 
apparently,  hoAvever,  about  Gin  high  Avhen  imported ;  therefore, 
I  consider  it  is  over  100  years  of  age. 
The  PiLOCEREUs  differ  from  the  Cereus  in  possessing  Avoolly 
stems.  There  are  about  fifty  species  belonging  to  this  genus,  or 
sub-genus.  The  best  knoAvn  is  Senilis,  or  the  Old  Man.  When 
in  the  young  state  it  is  covered  Avith  dense  Avhite  hairs  which 
completely  conceal  the  .stem.  Old  planks  about  5ft  in  height, 
*  A  paper  read  at  Manchester  by  Mr.  Arthur  Cobbold,  Ilolly  Point,  Heaton  Mersey. 
