The Scientific Notebooks of German Orchidologist Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Kränzlin

October 8, 1881.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 465

the common Sugar Pine of California, but the cones are not half so long; and, even when young, the scales are strongly reflected, suggesting the Doctor's new name for the species—"Pinus reflexa." It is frequently met with in the deer park referred to, also on a similar plateau on Mount Graham, and is reported also from several other ranges." American Gardeners' Monthly.

NOTES ON VEGETABLES.

PEAS.—The season has been very favourable for these—that is, so far as regards their productiveness and the gathering of them green for cooking; but I fear seed will be scarce and dear, as the weather at the time of ripening set in wet, and prevented crops being harvested in anything like the condition they ought to be. Among the tall kinds the best with us has been Telephone, which is a grand Pea, bearing pods from 5 to 6 inches in length, and these not wind-bags, like those of Superlative, which created such a stir some years back, but every one as full as they can be packed; and the Peas being large, when shelling takes place they soon fill up a dish. It was stated that Telegraph and Telephone are identical; but that is not the case, as they are not only distinct in color, but the last named is much the best Pea of the two, as, eaten either raw or in the cooked state, it is more sweet and tender. Being a strong grower, Telephone should be sown thin, and it is a good plan to have the rows at wide distances, as then they get plenty of air and light on both sides, and crop nearly down to the ground. We grow ours 10 feet apart, and plant a row of Celery between, which enjoys the shade till late in the summer, when it gets full exposure by the Peas being cleared, and there is then plenty of soil for earthing it up, and to get a row of Lettuce or Cabbage between. As yet I have not tried Telephone late, my favourite sorts for this work being British Queen and Ne Plus Ultra, both of which we are now picking, and as they are still full of bloom and vigour they will yield a supply for some time to come. In growing Peas, we always mulch heavily, as it saves labour in watering and keeps the earth cool. J. S.

FRENCH BEANS.—For yielding a suply during the summer and autumn there are none equal to Canadian Wonder, which is a strong grower and a very heavy cropper, bearing pods 8 to 10 inches long, of great width, and these when cooked are remarkably delicate and tender. Unlike most French Beans, that bear only for a short time, Canadian Wonder may be said to be perpetual, as so long as the pods are kept picked off when ready the plants continue to blossom and yield in succession. To afford proper room the rows should be a yard apart, and the Beans 10 inches, and when growing it is a good plan to stick a few brushy twigs by the sides to assist in holding them up, as without support wind and wet often knocks them about. Not only is Canadian Wonder the best late outdoor Bean, but it is a valuable one to grow in pits or frames, planted on a little bottom-heat in March, as towards the end of May the lights may be removed, and the crop the plants yield under such treatment is immense. For pots they are rather too tall and strong, but growth may be restricted by stopping the tops and pinching off some of the leaves—a practice I generally adopt with all winter Beans. F. S.

MARKET POTATOS.—We think that three varieties of Potatos well deserve, after the experience of them this season, where grown in large quantities, to be termed "market Potatos." One of these is Covent Garden Perfection, a second early, of remarkably good quality, and a heavy cropper. In the Northampton district we saw this Potato being dug, and clean, medium-sized tubers in good quantity following a quick growth, dwarf top, and early ripening, was the prevailing characteristic. It is a sort that finds a ready sale in market when dug. It is understood to have come out of the same batch of seedlings as Magnum Bonum. Burbank's Seedling, a white kidney variety, is a sort that finds great favour with the Northamptonshire people. It is an American variety, now rarely found in catalogues. It has a short top, makes a good second early, the produce is good, and the flesh eats dry and well. Our third variety is Vicar of Laleham, a comparatively new sort, that has come out grandly during the summer. It is a variety with a purple skin, and the snowwhite flesh peculiar to this class of Potatos—a heavy cropper, and but little diseased generally. It is in the fullest sense of the word a main crop variety, and, being a good keeper, should be kept till March and April. It is a remarkably fine Potato for mashing. Looker Round.

Orchid Notes.

SPIRANTHES ROMANZOVIANA.—This is not an Orchid which is likely to find favour with lovers of Orchids for their decorative value only; nevertheless, its white and deliciously fragrant flowers render it attractive even from this point of view. The main interest attaching to it consists of its singular geographical distribution. So far as is yet known it is found wild in Europe only in a wet meadow, near Bantry Bay, Co. Cork. But in North America it extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. Did it migrate from America, or was the current in the opposite direction? Did it ever occupy other European territory? These and many such questions this plant suggests for the philosophers to solve if they can. It is a near ally of the Lady's Tresses (Spiranthes autumnalis), now to be found in bloom on our Kentish downs, and elsewhere. Our figure (fig. 86)

[black and white illustration] FIG. 86.—SPIRANTHES ROMANZOVIANA AND FLORAL DETAILS: NAT. SIZE. POLLEN MASSES MAGN. FOUR TIMES.

was kindly furnished by Mr. Burbidge, under whose care the plant has been successfully cultivated for the last two years in the Botanic Garden of Trinity College, Dublin, the plant having originally been collected by the Professor of Botany, Dr. Percival Wright.

DENDROBIUM CHRYSANTHUM.

I can fully agree with all that Mr. Swan says, respecting the glorious spectacle of such a plant as he brought under notice in your last issue, p. 434. We have here— in the gardens of John Riley, Esq.—at the present time in flower, a specimen of the above with twenty-four flowering growths, several of which are 6 feet long. On one bulb I counted upwards of eighty blooms. The plant is suspended from the roof with Ferns underneath, and I need scarcely add that is a goodly sight to look on. Another Orchid, which is seen to advantage suspended from the roof in close proximity to Ferns, is the chaste Maxillaria venusta, which. in addition to blooming at this time of the year, lasts for several weeks in beauty. Jas. Almond, Hapton House Gardens, Burnley.

PLANT PORTRAITS

ABUTILON REINE D'OR, Floral Mag. t. 458.— Flowers of a rich golden-yellow; valuable as a winter-flowering plant in a warm greenhouse.

ARDISIA METALLICA, N. E. Brown, Illust. Horticole, t. 421.—A stove shrub of dwarf habit, with oblanceolate bullate purplish or metallic-green shortly stalked leaves. Native of Sumatra. Hort. Linden.

ASTILBE THUNBERGII, Floral Mag. t. 457.—A very elegant Japanese Spiraea, with the habit of A. japonica, but with the flowers in long slender compound spikes.

AURICULA DOUBLE PURPLE, Floral Mag. t. 460. —A beautiful novelty, grown by Mr. R. Dean.

BERTOLONIA LEGRELLEANA, Hort., Flore des Serres, t. 2407.—Leaves cordate, broadly ovate-acute, velvety green, hispid, marked with white veins.

BOLBOPHYLLUM BECCARII, Rchb. f., Bot. Mag. t. 6567.—This is the gigantic Bornean Orchid described in our columns, 1879, i., p. 41; 1880, ii., p. 326, 525. The flowers are in dense pendulous ovoid racemes, the individual flowers being 1/3 inch in diameter, ochreous-yellow, with red reticulations, and a most abominable fetor. Messrs. E. G. Henderson were the first to flower it in Europe.

CHOISYA TERNATA, Monatsschrift des Vereines zur Beförderung des Gartenbaues, t. 4.

CRINUM BALFOURII, Baker, in Bot. Mag., t. 6570.—A well marked new species, discovered in Socotra by Dr. Bayley Balfour. The bulbs and leaves are much smaller than in most of the cultivated kinds. The umbels bear ten to twelve very fragrant flowers, with a long slender tube (2 inches long) and linear-oblong white segments.

DENDROBIUM BRYMERIANUM, Floral Mag., t. 459.—Flowers racemose, each 3 inches across, orange-yellow; the heart-shaped lip with an orange spot on each side at the base, and with the edge deeply fringed.

DENDROBIUM DALHOUSIANUM, Paxton, Illust. Horticole, t. 423.—Flowers almost 4 inches across, fawn coloured, flushed with red; the roundish lip is of the same colour, with two large purple spots on each side at the base. Birmah.

EPIDENDRUM VITELLINUM MAJUS, Williams' Orchid Album, t. 4.—A fine variety, with orange-scarlet flowers 2 inches across.

GEUM ELATUM, Wallich, Bot. Mag., t. 6568—A Himalayan species with oblong unequally and interruptedly pinnatisect leaves and yellow flowers. Kew.

HOMALOMENA WALLISII, Regel, Bot. Mag., t. 6571.—The plant figured and described in Gard. Chron. 1877, p. 108, fig. 16, as Curmeria Wallissii. It may be remarked that the names is "Homalomena," not "Homalonema," as commonly written.

KNIPHOFIA COMOSA, Hochstetter, Bot. Mag. t. 6569.—A dwarf species, with a dense oblong obtuse head of flowers of a yellow colour, with very long protruding stamens. Mr. Elwes.

MUTISIA DECURRENS, Cav., Flore des Serres, t. 2408.—A climbing Composite with sessile decurrent lanceolate leaves, ending in a long tendril; flowerheads 4 inches across, bright orange.

PINANGA VEITCHII, Wendl., Flore des Serres, t. 2405-6.—A highly ornamental Palm, with oblong leaves tapering at the base, truncate, and deeply two-lobed at the apex, mottled green above, with reddish nerves, rich claret coloured beneath. Borneo. Messrs. Veitch.

PLUM, REINE CLAUDE DE RAZIMBAUD, Revue Horticole, July.—Fruit medium sized, globose, with a well marked suture, golden-yellow blotched and spotted red on the sunny side; flesh yellowish, melting, separating readily from the stone, of good flavour. Stone small, oval, rugose.

RHODODENDRON MADAME L. VAN HOUTTE, Flore des Serres, t. 2409-10.—Flowers pale shaded rose, spotted with brown, and with a white centre. The habit is said to be good.

ROSE GLOIRE DE DUCHER, Journal des Roses, July, 1881.—Shoots reddish, robust; prickles red. Leaves deep green; flowers large, solitary, crimson, slaty at the edges.

SALVIA M. ISSANCHON, Revue de l'Horticulture Belge, July, 1881.—Supposed to be a form of S. splendens. The calyx is white or yellow, striped with red; the corollas red at the base, whitish above.

SOLANUM PYRACANTHUM, Dun Flore des Serres, t. 2411.—Stove shrub, with oblong pinnately-lobed leaves, studded with stout orange-coloured prickles; flowers violet. Madagascar.

242 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 20, 1892.

native of the mountains of Java, at an elevation of from 8,000 to 9,000 feet, and may be serviceable for hybridising purposes.

Hydnophytum Forbesi, t. 7218, is one of those curious plants whose tuberous root-stocks afford a home for ants. The plant does not seem to be injured by the ants, which repay their obligations by keeping off undesirable visitors. The plant in question is cultivated in the Royal Gardens, Kew, where it flowered in 1889 and again in 1891.

Begonia glaucophylla, t. 7219.—A plant of unknown origin—possibly a garden hybrid. In any case, a very beautiful form, with spotted stem, oblong-lanceolate leaves, and pendulous short-jointed clusters of pink flowers. Grown as a basket plant it is very handsome. Kew.

Vicia narbonensis, tab. 7220.—The chief interest attaching to this species is that it has been supposed to be the origin of the common field Bean (Vicia Faba). Judging from the figure here given, those who indulged in that supposition must have had an extraordinarily vivid imagination, for it is scarcely possible to have imagined two plants of the same genus more different in appearance.

Neo-Benthamia gracilis, t. 7221.—A coloured figure of the very singular terrestrial Orchid, described and figured by Mr. Rolfe in our columns in 1891, vol. x., p. 272. It is a native of Zanzibar.

FORESTRY LECTURES: UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH. —The Council of the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society announce to the members and others interested, that the course of lectures on "Forestry" is about to be resumed in the University by COLONEL BAILEY, R.E., a distinguished forest officer. The Council urge landowners, foresters, and all interested in forest education to take advantage of these lectures, which began on the 10th inst. Landowners would do well to send one or more foresters to attend the course, and they would thus derive immediate benefit by the employment of men instructed both in the art and science of forestry. The Council point out the excellent opportunity which these lectures provide to intelligent youths for acquiring a thorough scientific knowledge of their profession. To enable them to take advantage of the lectures, the Council have arranged that young men who desire employment while attending the course can obtain it in the nurseries, or elsewhere, near Edinburgh, on applying by letter to W. J. MOFFAT, Esq., Secretary and Treasurer, 5, St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh.

GHENT HORTICULTURAL MEETING.—Certificates of merit were awarded at the last meeting for the following plants:—1st, Odontoglossum pulcherrinum ×, a new hybrid of the Alexandræ type, shown for the first time; the form is beautifully rounded, the colour white, the edges slightly yellowish, and the entire flower evenly spotted with brown. 2nd, Odontoglossum Holfordianum leopterum, a rare variety with large flowers, the ground golden yellow with large brown spots. 3rd, Masdevallia ignea perfecta, an entirely new variety, imported from Columbia and flowering for the first time; it has never before been shown. The flower is exceedingly beautiful and very large, in colour purplish flushed with dark blue; this is one of the most beautiful forms of ignea. 4th, Masdevallia ignea aurora, another novelty from Columbia, and flowering for the first time; the habit is very distinctive, the colour flame-orange. 5th, Amaryllis flammea ×, a new hybrid remarkable in habit and form, deep red with very fine wavy lines of white. These five fine novelties were from M. CH. VUYLSTEKE, of Loochristy. 6th, a species of Odontoglossum from M. JULES HYE; a magnificent flower, the ground pink, the sepals and petals fringed, bordered with white, the mid-rib whitish, each sepal and petal having a large brownish-red spot surrounded and underlined with smaller spots of the same shade; the lip has a golden-yellow ground, with tiny spots, the edge white, very finely fringed—the flower is robust. 7th, Odontoglossum Pescatorei album, from the same Orchicist, the flowers very fine, pure white, numerous and very fresh. 8th, Odontoglossum sulphureum,

also from M. J. HYE, flowers sulphur-yellow and very distinctive, the several parts of the flower have a small circular spot of brownish-red, which is repeated on the lip. 9th, Pteris Wallichianum, from MM. DURIEZ FRÈRES, of Wondelghem, a plant interesting among the many novelties recently introduced. Certificates of Merit were awarded for:—1st, Adiantum venustum, to M. SPAE, Vandermeulen, a very pretty species in vigorous health; 2nd, Nephthytis picturata, from the Congo, to M. L. DESMET DUVIVIER, a dwarf plant, with fine leaves of unusual size; 3rd, to MM. E. VERVAET ET CIE, for Cattleya Masereelii, a white-flowered variety. Honorable mention was awarded for:—1st, Cattleya Trianæ, to MM. VERVAET ET CIE., the lip very dark in colour; 2nd, Cattleya Trianæ, to the same exhibitors, the lip fringed—very pretty; 3rd, Miltonia vexillaria, to M. ALF. VAN IMSHOOT, flowers large and dark; 4th, Microlepia hirta cristata, to MM. DURIEZ FRÈRES; 5th, Cœlogyne Lemoniana ? delicata, to M. J. HYE.

ACREAGE OF FRUIT IN GREAT BRITAIN.— Prominent attention has lately been called to the extending cultivation of fruit in different forms in Great Britain. A relatively large advance is now reported in the Agricultural Returns of Great Britain for 1891. The area under small fruits now exceeds that used for Hops, 58,700 acres being returned, compared with 46,200 acres in 1890, and 36,700 acres in 1888, the last year when this form of cultivation was first separately recorded. By the introduction of a newly-arranged table this particular area has been more closely analysed than has hither been possible, and it will be seen that on 23,416 acres small fruit is grown in plots already returned as orchards—that is doubtless under the larger fruit trees; while 22,510 acres in market gardens, and 12,778 acres of ordinary farm land are now returned as carrying Gooseberries, Strawberries, Currants, and other small fruit. The small fruit area has increased in every county of England and Wales, and in some counties by a remarkable percentage, although nearly a third of the English small fruit area is still to be found in Kent. The changes are not so uniform in Scotland, although there also a larger fruit acreage is reported. The ordinary orchard surface in Great Britain in likewise greater, covering, in round numbers, 210,000 acres. The area, ten years back, was given as under 185,000 aceres. A still larger advance appears in the returns of land used by market gardners for the growth of vegetables, and other garden produce. These were reported as covering 46,604 acres in 1881, while the figures for 1891 make the market garden area 81,368 acres.

TOOPE'S FOG-ELIMINATING PLANT-HOUSE.— As suggested in our issue for November 28, p. 650, when making mention and giving a small illustration of Mr. Toope's invention for mitigating, if not altogether eliminating, the injurious effects of London fog on plants, we have made two visits, and on both occasions have had our previously-formed favourable opinion verified. Situated in the corner of his factory-yard, in one of the foggiest districts in London, viz., Stepney Green, Mr. Toope has erected his experimental house in two divisions. Heated on his own plan, fitted with his chemically-charged air-filters, his charcoal-filters for the water used, and a new and perfect plan of ventilation, it must be said that the plants in the houses, which, it will readily be supposed, could not exist under ordinary circumstances, are in the best health, and progressing well, although the experimenter has fairly enough only begun with small, and in many cases, weak specimens, Orchids being the plants chiefly grown. The evidence of the production and duration of the flowers is a great point; and both in November and December a good show for so small a collection was found. Last week we found some Cattleya Trianæ in bloom, C. citrina, showing flower strongly; several Dendrobium Wardianum, a fine D. crassinode, Cœlogyne flaccida, Zygopetalum Mackayii, Odontoglossum Rossi majus, with seven blooms; a fine O. maculatum, which to our certain knowledge,

has been in bloom since the middle of December, and in one corner was a small case in which were plants of Anæctochilus petola and Goodyera discolor, besides others. If regarded only as a system of perfect ventilation, the invention is a good one, and deserves a trial by those who try to grow plants in large cities and smoky manufacturing districts.

SHREWSBURY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.— At the annual meeting on the 11th inst., the Mayor presiding, a balance-sheet was produced, showing the income of the society for the past year to have been £3334 10s., as compared with £2963 in 1890— the highest amount ever reached by the Society in one year. The subscriptions for the year amounted to £428 7s., and the receipts at the exhibition in August last were £2796. The amount of prize-money was £428 7s. 6d.; amusements and fireworks cost £421; bands, £253; and the profits on the year's exhibition was £970. A sum of £500 has been added to the invested capital, which now amounts to £3500. Since the Society started, the annual balances have been expended in the improvement of the public grounds in the Quarry, the Free Library, and some money has been given to the charitable institutions of the town, last year £753 being so expended. The balance in the banker's hands amounts to £747.

BIRMINGHAM GARDENERS' ASSOCIATION.—At the last meeting, and admirable paper on "The Gloxinia, 1739 to 1892", was read by Mr. J. MARTIN (Messrs. SUTTON & SONS), in which the history of its introduction and improvements were sketched, and instructions given as to culture. Anyone who has visited Messrs. SUTTON & SONS' nurseries when the Gloxinias are in flower, will know full well that Mr. MARTIN is an excellent cultivator and crossbreeder of them. On the following evening, the second annual social meeting of members and their wives took place at one of the largest hotels, and about 140 persons were present, Mr. W.B. LATHAM, of the Botanical Gardens, presiding.

THE WEATHER IN THE MIDLANDS.—Mr. J. W. WOODFORD, Atherstone, says that "On February 15, it was snowing hard all day, with gale from north-east, thermometer 26[degrees]; altogether, the most winterly day we have had."

A VENERABLE CAMELLIA.—Probably there is no exotic tree or shrub in West Cornwall with a more interesting pedigree than the Camellia at Penalvern, Penzance, writes the Western Morning News; and, like so many other things with a glorious past, its future is an unknown quantity, except in the rapidity of its decay. It is but a wreck of its former self, and the merest imitation of the blizzard of last March will completely settle it. Half-a-century ago there were scarcely any Camellia trees in West Cornwall, and for a very long period, up to last year, the one in question maintained its reputation as being the largest in the county. When in full bloom, its magnificence could not have been excelled by any single specimen in its native country, Japan. It reached an altitude of nearly 20 feet, and possessed a circumference of nearly three times its height. It was, at its prime, so densely covered with flowers that to photograph it was impossible. The young tree was brought about half-a-century ago by the late Mr. T. S. Bolitho from the gardens of his father-in-law, in North Cornwall, and the vigour with which it grew and thrived in the genial locality of Penzance was little short of marvellous.

"NATURAL SCIENCE."—Messrs. MACMILLAN & Co. announce the publication of a new monthly scientific review—Natural Science—devoted more especially to the interests of biology and geology. The first part of Natural Science will be published on March 1, 1892.

BRUSSELS BOTANIC GARDEN.—A member of the Belgian Parliament has denounced as excessive the sum expended on the Botanic Garden, which sum we believe is ridiculously small. He pro-

in Western China, in the Tchen-kéou-tin district of the province of Szechuen. A single plant has also been collected by Mr. E. H. Wilson, at an altitude of 7,000 feet in the same province, though the precise locality has not been stated.

DESCRIPTION.—Herb, terrestrial, 4-6 in. high. Stem slender, glabrous, two-leaved. Leaves broadly ovate, acute, membranous, 1 1/4-2 1/2 in. broad, with three to five primary nerves, secondary veins reticulated. Scapes 3/4-1 3/4 in. long, arching. Bracts linear, acute 1/2-1 in. long. Pedicels over 1/3 in. long. Flowers small, with pale green sepals and petals, each bearing a dark brown blotch at the base, forming a zone round the column, sometimes striped with brown, and with a white lip streaked with purple around the mouth. Dorsal sepal ovate, acuminate, 1/2-3/4 in. long; lateral sepals connate into an ovate-oblong, subobtuse limb, slightly longer than the dorsal. Petals oblong, acuminate, as long as the dorsal sepal. Lip ovoid-globose, nearly 1/2 in. long, much narrowed at the mouth. Staminode spathulate, cucullate.—R. A. ROLFE.

CULTIVATION.—Roots of this interesting little orchid were purchased from the Yokohama Nursery Company. They were planted in pans of leaf-mould and chopped sphagnum and kept in an unheated frame where they flowered in April. Although lacking the attractions of size and colour so usual in the genus, Cypripedium debile has charms of its own, and is quite worthy of a place among select "Alpines." It is probably sufficiently hardy to be grown permanently in the open air, although, owing to their pose, the flowers would be practically hidden unless the plants were set on the high ledge of a rockery, or grown, as at Kew, in a pan and placed whilst in flower on the stage of a greenhouse.—W. Watson.

Fig. 1, side of lip, in section; 2 and 3, side and front views of column:— all enlarged.

24 ORCHIDS.

CYPRIPEDIUM (SELENIPEDIUM) LONGIFOLIUM.

A striking Orchid, discovered on the Cordilleras of Chiriqui at an elevation from 5,000 to 8,000 feet, and thus described by Professor Reichenbach in the Gardeners' Chronicle, 1869, page 1,206:— "The flowers remind one very much of Selenipedium dariense. It is easily distinguished by the two angles at the inner base of the channelled claw or unguis of the "lip. Selenipedium Hartwegii stands even nearer, yet it appears to be very distinct "by its much larger and longer bracts, and by an open channel of the unguis of the "lip, and by some discrepancies in the lip. Our plant appears to have the habit of the "old Selenipedium caudatum. The inflorescence has bracts very much like those of "Heliconias. The flowrs are greenish, very shiny outside; the dorsal sepal is nearly "oblong—triangular, with a brownish border. The inferior sepal is much broader "and longer, or even quite as long, as the lip. The petals have a broad sub-cordate "base, and taper into a tail, greenish, with white borders, and two brown streaks at "the base and brown at the ends, these tails being much shorter than those of the "long-tailed species. The lip is highly curious, for the basilar margins of the unguis "overlapping one another, so that there is no channel left."

Price 21s. to 63s. each.

EPIDENDRUM SYRINGOTHYRSUS.

A most beautiful and free-flowering Epidendrum, introduced by us from Peru. It is certainly one of the finest of its species. It flowers in panicles of seventy or eighty blooms, the flowering growths being from two to three feet in length. The throat is white, sepals and petals light purple, the labellum tipped with pink.

Price 105s. each.

VANDA CÆRULESCENS.

(REICHENBACH.)

See Illustration.

For the introduction of this Orchid gem we are indebted to Lieutenant-Colonel Benson, who discovered it growing in Burmah, at an elevation of 1,500 feet above the sea.

Though the flowers are much smaller than those of the well-known Vanda cærulea, this species is EQUALLY worthy of cultivation, the sepals and petals being of a decided

December 2, 1882.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 717

will soon induce disease, especially if the temperature of the house gets low, and the latter practice carried to excess will lead to loss of the foliage at the base of the plants. Where these have to be grown in the same house the Vandas must be placed at the coolest end, as a temperature of 55° to 60° is sufficient to maintain them in perfect health during the winter. One of the best winter Orchids now showing flower is Phaius grandifolius. This should be grown in quantity, as it is one of the few Orchids that will stand being used for room decoration without injury. Where it is used for this purpose it should be prepared by keeping it cooler for a few days before taking it into the room, and while there should be kept drier at the root. Any shy flowering Orchids, such as Schomburgkia tibicinis, Eriopsis biloba, Epidendrum bicornutum, and Cyrtopodiums, must be specially treated at this season of the year, by placing them on dry elevated shelves, maintaining a dry but moderately warm atmosphere around them, and

[black and white illustration] Fig. 127.—CYPRIPEDIUM INSIGNE, VAR. PUNCTATUM VIOLACEUM.

giving only sufficient water at the roots to keep them from excessive shrivelling. A couple or three months of this treatment will throughly ripen the bulbs, when a good show of flower will follow. J. Roberts, Gunnersbury Park Gardens.

CYPRIPEDIUM INSIGNE PUNCTATUM VIOLACEUM AND C. INSIGNE MAULEI.—Well known as the superior merits of the former variety have always been to the few who have been lucky enough to obtain it true, so many have expressed an opinion that it is nothing but C. insigne Maulei that we are glad to receive from R.P. Percival, Esq., of Birkdale, Southport, a properly authenicated flower of each, taken from strong plants grown on precisely the same conditions. So vastly superior is C. insigne punctatum violaceum to the other variey that we could not refrain from having drawings made of them (figs. 126, 127) in order to set the matter to rest once for all. The variety under notice came to this country as a stray seedling-like plant among some imported Orchids in the year 1855; chance and its own distinct

appearance favoured it, and it was carefully tended. On blooming it amply verified the good opinion formed of it, as the flowers, although borne on a small plant, were of a better shape and more brightly and distinctly marked than those of any other variety. Mr. O'Brien, in whose care it was, jealously nursed and guarded it, but it was not until about the year 1869 that any of it was parted with, and soon the sale of it had to be stopped, as Mr. Dominy (who was one of the first to recognise its merits) and a few more who were waiting for the plant would soon have taken the stock in spite of the rather prohibitory prices. The alternate selling and withholding of the plant according as the stock increased or decreased no doubt has often caused C. Maulei to be passed off for it, as indeed in after years, when C. insigne punctatum violaceum became more plentiful, it may sometimes have found its way into gardens as C. Maulei, and hence the confusion. In small plants the error is not so easily detected, but

when both are grown strong there is scarcely any comparison, particularly in point of size of flower, as a glance at our illustrations will prove. The confusion in the names of this section of C. insigne was further confounded some few years ago by the introduction of the variety called Chantinii, which was nothing but C. insigne Maulei. Although at present C. insigne punctatum violaceum may sometimes be found under that name, there is no doubt that C. insigne punctatum is distinct, and one of the finest of Cyripediums, and Mr. Percival has no cause to regret the forty odd guineas he gave for it.

ODONTOGLOSSUM CRISPUM.—In Messrs. Jackson's collection at Kingston the show of flowers promises to be unusually fine in a week or two. A good many of the most vigorous plants are suspended from the roof of a low span-roofed plant-house, and the flowerspikes are both strong and plentiful. The varieties vary a good deal. We noticed one fine variety with four spikes, and as many as twelve flowers to a spike. This variety is beautifully marked with clear spots.

O. Andersonianum has two branching spikes; this variety is sweet-scented, and is extremely vigorous. Upon the whole the condition of the collection is remarkably satisfactory, and the show of flowers about Christmastide will be worth going a long way to see.

ARPOPHYLLUM GIGANTEUM.—A fine specimen of this rare Orchid is now showing flower in Messrs. Jackson's collection at Kingston. It is the same variety that Mr. Carson used to grow at Nonsuch Park a dozen or fourteen years ago. It has a broader leaf, throws up a much finer spike of flower, and blooms more freely than the small-leaved variety which is commonly cultivated.

LÆLIA AUTUMNALIS ATRO RUBENS.—Go when one will be there is always something interesting to be seen in Messrs. Veitch's Orchid-houses, but a specimen of the above plant having seven flowers upon one spike is a sight that excites one's admiration for these flowers to the highest degree. The flowers are of a purple hue, the labellum being of a rather deeper purple than the sepals and petals, and the throat is white.

SOPHRONITES GRANDIFLORA.—Whoever thinks of cultivating Orchids should make this pretty little plant one of their first purchases. This is the natural season for the plant to flower, and its scarlet blooms are the brightest objects in the Orchid-house at the present season.

SACCOLABIUM BLUMEI.—Messrs. Heath & Son, Exotic Nurseries, College Road, Cheltenham, have kindly forwarded me an unusually grand, and at the same time very curious, inflorescence of this plant. The superior half of the flower has nota single petal, all the flowers being trisepalous, and with a lip not superior to that organ in the petalliferous flowers. It belongs to the Saccolabium macrostachyum, Lindl. Finally, we may learn whether those things are constant or merely varieties of one protean type. H.G. Rchb. f.

DENDROBIUM LEECHIANUM ×.—From Mr. Swan, gr. to W. Leech, Esq., Fallowfield, Manchester, come several blooms of this free-flowering and very desirable hybrid, which was figured and described at p. 256 of our last volume. A spike of four flowers, Mr. Swan informs us, was taken from a bulb that has produced eighteen blossoms, yet which is little more than 1 foot in height. The stock of plants at Oakley consists of eighteen, which are either in bloom or showing flower; and though some of the flowers before us have been open five weeks, they are still bright and fresh. A fine spike of the lovely Calanthe Veitchii superba also came to hand in the same box.

ODONTOGLOSSUM LUTEO-PURPUREUM (Lindl.) RADIATUM (Rchb. f.)—A very charming specimen of this is in flower just now with Messrs. Heath & Son, Exotic Nurseries, College Road, Cheltenham. An old bulb produced twin bulbs, and between the two stands a very fine deeply coloured inflorescence, the flowers being of very strong good texture. It would be interesting to know (of course I got but a sketch and half the inflorescence) whether in all probability the peduncle belongs to one of the bulbs, or whether it is the product of an especial break which would be quite georgeous. H. G. Rchb. f.

PHALÆNOPSIS, with which one house at Rendlesham is mostly occupied, continue to thrive admirably; the house in which they are grown, like the others devoted to Orchid culture at Rendlesham is a low span, constructed so as to give all the light possible, and standing away from everything that could intercept it. The plants are hung well up to the roof, with air on at all times in all weathers; it is admitted freely through openings in the walls at both sides, beneath the side stages. The temperature as near as may be is kept at 70° in the night in summer, and 65° by night during winter. Under such treatment the leaves attain more than ordinary substance, lasting proportionately long. All the kinds seem to do well. Of Phalaenopsis amabilis|P. amabilis]], P. grandiflora, and P. Schilleriana, there are numbers of splendid examples; the largest, P. grandiflora, is just upon 2 feet from point to point of the leaves. The scarce P. Portei has six good leaves, the biggest 9 inches long, by 3 3/4 broad. Cattleya superbiens, hung up in the same house close to the roof, keeps on year after year blooming freely, and gaining additional strength. A couple of plants of Vanda Denisoniana are doing finely. T. B.