May  28,  1903. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AXD  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
479 
Odonioylossum  crispum  var.  Grairianum  (N.  C.  Cookson,  Esq.). — 
<.,|nite  a  distinct  and  very  beautiful  flower,  faintly  edged  with  a  w^avy 
line  of  pure  wdiite,  the  rest  of  the  petals  and  sepals  being  amber  or 
bronzy-russet.  The  form  is  good.  F.C.C. 
Odontofjlossum  Wilckeamcm  vcnerandiim  (C.  Vuylesteke). — A  lai’ger 
form  than  the  type,  with  broad-based,  heavy  petals  and  brightly 
marked  with  i-ieh  brown  blotches  and  spots.  F.C.C. 
Fhaius  x  Chapmani  (N.  C.  Cookson.  Esq.). — A  pretty  pale  purple- 
mauve  flower,  distinct  and  beautiful. 
Pliyllocactus  Deutsche  Kaiserin  (H.  Kohlmannslchner,  Britz, 
Berlin).— The  numerous,  medium-sized  flowers,  are  a  bright  rose 
or  shell-pink,  and  the  habit  of  growth  is  very  satisfactory.  A.M. 
Polypodium  Knightce. — The  fronds  are  bright  green,  2Jft  long, 
oppositely  pinnate,  the  fringed  leaflets  34in  long;  and  the  plant  is 
altogether  graceful.  PbC.C. 
Puya  lanuginosa  (T.  A.  Dorrien-Smith,  Esq.). —  A  cultural 
commendation  Avas  aAvarded  for  a  specimen  in  flower  of  this 
exceedingly  rare  plant.  The  spike  Avas  8ft  to  9ft  high,  Avith  a 
dense  inflorescence  of  greenish -yelloAV  floAvers,  having  lateral  spikelets 
protruding  from  it.  The  flesliy,  spiky  leaves  are  IJft  long. 
Rosa  multifloi'a  Waltham  Rambler  (Wm.  Paul  and  Son,  Waltham 
Cross). — This  free-groAving  novelty'  has  massive,  Avell-built-up  inflo¬ 
rescences  of  single  floAvers,  forming  effective  masses  of  blush-pink, 
each  floAver  Avith  a  Avhite  halo  round  the  pale  yelloAV  boss  of  stamens. 
A.M. 
Rose,  Queen  of  Stceden  and  Xoricay  (Paul  &  Son,  Cheshunt). — A 
ncAv  Tea  Rose,  Avith  large  Avell-built  floAvers.  having  a  good  pointed 
centre  and  strong  Aving  petals.  The  colour  is  soft  cream  flushed  Avith 
pale  blush-faAvn.  A.M. 
Richardia  hybrida  Solfatara  (G.  Bornmann,  Blankenborg.  Harz, 
Germany). — A  sulphur-coloured  form  of  a  fine  greenhouse  plant. 
A.  M. 
Rosa  polyantha,  Blush  Rambler  (B.  R.  Cant  &  Sons,  The  Old  Rose 
Gardens,  Colchester). — A  cross  betAveen  Crimson  Rambler  and  The 
Garland.  FloAvers  2in  across,  single,  or  semi-double  in  loose,  beautifAil 
and  immense  clusters,  the  branching  stalks  long  and  strong.  Buds 
fcontinue  to  open  for  a  long  time.  The  colour  is  a  rich  blush-pink, 
w’ith  a  Avhite  centre.  A  grand  novelty.  A.M. 
Schoviburgkia  Galcottiana  (Right  Hon.  Ld.  Rothschild,  Tring). — 
A.M. 
Selaghielli  Watsoniana. — Of  the  S.  gi'ande  type,  of  a  creamy-silver 
variegation,  the  groAvths  much  branching  and  drooping.  The  species 
forms  an  effective  plant  for  a  pan. 
Vanda  tricolor  var.  tenebrosa  (L.  T.  Draps-Dom,  Laeken). — The 
inflorescences  are  in  heavy  clusters,  the  floAvers  having  bright  violet 
purple  lips,  and  rich  broAvn  spotted  over  the  creamy  ground  on  petals 
and  sepals.  A  handsome  A*ariety.  F.C.C. 
Vanda  x  Marguerite  Maron  (Chas.  Maron,  Brunoy,  France). — 
Parentage:  V.  teres  x  V.  suavis.  The  SAveet  pale  rose  colouring  of 
V.  teres  is  much  eari’ied  in  here,  and  the  floAvers  are  large  and 
graceful.  A.M. 
Royal  Meteorological. 
The  fir.st  of  the  afternoon  meetings  of  tins  society  AAas  held  on 
Wednesday,  the  20th  inst.,  at  70,  Victoria  Street,  We.stinin.ster, 
C'aptain  I).  Wilson-Barker,  F.R.S.E..  president,  in  the  chair. 
Mr.  C.  P.  Hooker  read  a  paper  on  “  The  Relation  of  the  Rainfall 
to  the  Depth  of  Water  in  a  Well.”  In  this  he  gave  the  Aveekly 
measurements  of  the  depth  of  Aiater  in  a  Avell  lOlft  deep,  and  the 
amount  of  rainfall  at  Cirencester,  extending  over  the  sixteen 
years  1887-1902.  The  depth  of  Avater  in  the  w  ell  depends  on  hoAV 
much  rain  penetrates,  and  the  penetration  is  determined  by  the 
amount  of  rain,  the  rapidity  of  its  fall,  and  the  existing  condition 
of  the  soil.  The  Avinter  rains  penetrate  easily,  and  the  summer 
rains  Avith  difficulty.  Mere  absence  of  rain  is  not  the  only  cause 
of  .scarcity ;  deficiency  of  spring  rains  and  .subsequent  heat  and 
evaporation  being  far  more  important  factors.  After  the  early 
spring  months  but  little  rain  penetrates  to  the  Avell,  .so  that  a 
timely  forew-aming  at  that  season  might  prove  of  great  A'alue  by 
enabling  the  existing  supplies  to  be  husbanded  at  an  early  period. 
Considering  hoAv  narroAv  is  the  boundary  betiveen  sufficiencj'  and 
want,  and  looking  to  the  fact  that  evei’y  year  sees  further 
demands  made  on  our  Avater  .supplies,  the  author  considers  that 
it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  more  attention  should  be 
paid  to  the  storage  of  our  surplus  Avinter  rains.  This  might  be  done 
by  the  formation  of  large  hill  reservoirs,  and  doubtless  such 
nieasures  a.s  the  re-afforesting  of  large  tracts  of  land  Avould  be  of 
use  in  checking  the  rapiditj’  Avith  Avhich  the  rains  reach  the  rivers 
and  are  so  lost. 
Mr.  W.  Marriott  gave  an  account  of  “  The  Frost  of  April, 
1903,”  Avhich  AA’as  so  keenly  felt  coming  after  the  long  spell  of  very 
mild  weather  in  Februarv’  and  March.  The  fortnight  April  12-25, 
Ava.s  marked  by  keen,  northerly  Avinds,  great  dryness,  and  low 
temperatures.  Frosts  on  the  ground  Avere  of  almo.st  nightly 
occurrence,  and  as  the  result,  the  destruction  of  fruit  blossom 
has  been  very  great  and  also  verj’  general.  In  many  places  a 
good  deal  of  the  Apple  and  StraAvben'y  blossom,  although  only  in 
bud  at  the  time,  Ava.s  killed;  Avhile  Potatoes  AA-ere  cut  to  the 
ground,  and  the  foliage  of  Horse  Chestnuts  and  Limes  much 
injured,  particularly  on  the  Avindward  side. 
Orchids:  The  Week’s  Cultural  Notes. 
Cattleya  superba  is  often  looked  upon  as  a  difficult  subject  to 
cultivate,  shoAving  a  disposition  to  give  way  after  a  feAv  years’ 
.sojourn  in  our  Orchid  houses.  I  have  been  .successful  Avith  it  in 
a  hot  and  very  moi.st  house,  Avhere  ample  .sunlight  reaches  the 
plants  from  all  .sides.  In  company  Avith  Thunias.  Epidendrum 
bicornutum,  Catasetums,  and  other  heat-loving  species,  it  throAvs 
up  fine  strong  groAvths  that  floAvered  vigorously  every  year,  the 
spikes  carrying  from  four  to  six  of  the  gorgeous  blossom. 
It  AA-as  once  the  custom  to  tie  or  Avire  these  .species  that  Avere 
found  a  little  difficult  to  blocks  of  Avood,  .starvation  treatment  for 
any  of  a  vigorous  habit,  .such  a.s  C.  superba.  When  neAvly  imported 
plants  of  it  arrive  they  should  be  cleaned  and  potted  fairly  high  in 
clean  crocks,  placing  the  pots  in  a  semi-shaded  and  moist  house 
until  the  pseudo-bulbs  are  plump  and  groAvths  .start.  Then  they 
should  be  placed  at  once  in  their  groAving  quarters  as  described 
aboA^e,  the  appearance  of  neAv  roots  being  the  signal  for  adding 
the  compost  to  the  crocks.  The  usual  peat  and  moss  mixture, 
Avith  a  feAV  crocks  added,  Avill  be  excellent  for  the  purpose,  a  thin 
layer  only  being  required,  as  the  plants  dislike  being  disturbed, 
arid  annual  top-dressings  may  Avith  adA'antage  take  the  place  of 
repotting.  Up  to  the  time  the  compost  is  added  to  the  crocks 
Avater  should  be  freely  given,  on  hot  days  several  times  daily,  but 
aftei'Avards  much  discretion  is  required,  a  good  Avatering  lasting 
from  three  days  to  a  Aveek,  according  to  the  AA’eather.  No  Avater 
should  be  syringed  over  the  groAvths  at  any  time,  but  the  plants 
kept  clean  by  frequent  sponging.  A  .soft  Avhite  scale  is  a  fre¬ 
quent  pest  to  C.  .superba,  affecting  the  scaly  rhizomes  and  the  leaf 
axils,  Avhere  it  must  be  diligently  sought  and  destroyed  if  fhe 
plants  are  to  remain  healthy.  Thei  blos.soms  appear  at  the  apex 
of  the  season’s  groAvth,  and  after,  floAvering  the  plants  should  be 
thoroughly  ripened  by  exposure  to  sun  and  air,  and  alloAved  to 
rest  during  Avinter. 
Galeandras  are  noAV  adA-ancing  for  floAver,  and  these  again  need 
a  lot  of  Avatcliing,  for  thrips  are  almost  alAA'ays  present  on  the 
foliage.  They  must  be  groAvn  quickly  right  along  until  they 
floAver,  and  afterAvards  given  a  rest  in  a  slightly  cooler  and  drier 
house.  In  the  cool  house  MasdeA'allias  are  in  full  beauty  ,  and  cool 
moist  treatment  is  e.ssential,  fumigating  or  vapourising  the  hou.se 
.should  the  white  lines  appear  on  the  floAvers  that  are  characteristic 
of  thrip.  Those  of  the  Chimaera  group  that  are  groAving  in  sus¬ 
pended  basket.s  should  have  a  thorough  .soaking  of  Avater  before 
the  floAvers  open,  as  it  is  difficult  to  apply  afferAvards  Avithout 
injuring  them. — H.  R.  R. 
Hardy  Fruit  Garden. 
DESTROYING  AND  PREVENTING  INSECT  PESTS: 
APHIDES. — Aphides  are  more  or  le.ss  troublesome  on  the  various 
species  of  AA’all  trees  at  this  .season.  Many  reasons  may  be  put 
forAvard  to  account  for  these  attacks.  The  principal  cause  is,  of 
course,  Aveak  root  action  through  the  unsuitability  of  the  situa¬ 
tion,  the  soil,  and  the  eri-ors  in  culture.  Cold,  bleak,  exposed 
aspects  arrest  growth  and  induce  checks  Avhich  insects  take 
adA^antage  of.  LeaA'^es  curl  Avith  the  cold,  and  serA’e  to  protect 
the  fly,  Avhieh  multiplies  rapidly.  Dry'  soil  about  the  root.s  is 
responsible  for  many  severe  insect  attacks,  AA'liich  it  is  Avell  nigh 
impo.ssible  to  suppress  until  this  error  is  rectified.  Other  errors 
consi.st  of  permitting  croAvding,  overburdening,  the  trees  Avith 
.superfluous  Avood  and  fruit.  To  destroy  aphis,  insecticides  of  a 
soluble,  adhering  character,  such  as  .softsoap  and  petroleum 
emulsion  is  suitable.  There  are  many  excellent  in.secticides  on 
the  market  Avhich  may  be  depended  upon  to  effect  good  results, 
Bentley’s  compound  liquid  quassia  extract  being  one  of  the  best. 
Tobacco  juice  diluted  to  a  safe  strength  is  effectual  used  as  a 
Avash  for  dipping  the  shoots  in.  Some  groAA;ers  commence  early 
Avith  the  use  of  dry  tobacco  poAvder,  diisting  it  ovtr  infested 
parts.  Soluble  insecticides  should  be.  sprayed  on  the  foliage, 
this  being  a  more  economical  method  of  disti-ibution. 
RED  SPIDER.— The  serious  effects  Avorked  by  red  spider  are 
seen  later  in  the  sea.son  ;  but  if  present  on  the  trees  they  soon  get 
to  Avork  in  dry  Aveather.  They  appear  to  live  best  on  foliage 
AA'eakened  bv  defect.s  in  culture,  and  long  continued  dryness  at 
the  roots.  "  The  insects  are  so  small  that  it  is  difficult  to  see 
<■1110111,  but  they  quickly  make  their  presence  knoAA-n  by  causing 
the  leaves  to  assume  an  unhealthy  colour.  Timely  dres.vings  with 
Aveak  insecticide  AAOuld  deter  further  spreading,  and  occasional 
.spraying  Avith  .solution  and  syringing  Avith  clear  Avater  maintain 
tone'  and  vigour  in  tlie  groAA’th  to  repel  attacks.  One  important 
matter  also  is  to  maintain  adequate  moisture  at  the  roots.  This 
