The Scientific Notebooks of German Orchidologist Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Kränzlin

[THE CHEMICAL] UNION, LTD. SINFECTANTS, HEEP DIPS, & SOAPS. [EN]GLAND.

QUANTITY QUALITY Colonial & Foreign Branches & Agencies MELBOURNE CAPE TOWN BUENOS AYRES SYDNEY DURBAN MONTE VIDEO ADELAIDE PORT ELIZABETH AUCKLAND BRISBANE DUNEDIN INVERCARGILL WELLINGTON N. Z. CHRISTCHURCH N. Z. LAUNCESTON (TAS.) HOBART CHICAGO CANARY ISLANDS NEW YORK SAN FRANCISCO GALVESTON

JOSEPH FISON & CO. LTD. MANUFACTURERS OF SULPHURIC ACID & CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS, CORN MILLERS & SEED CRUSHERS. IPSWICH, ENGLAND.

[FIS]ON, IPSWICH.

Ipswich March, 1900. Cable Address: FISON, IPSWICH. A.B.C. CODE.

CANARY GUANO.

We enclose card giving particulars of Canary Guano, which is the perfect Fertilizer for horticultural purposes ever produced. It is used [practi]cally all over the world, and the demand for it in Great britain during [the l]ast few years has been quite phenomenal. Besides being a Fertilizer [of Ext]raordinary power, it is perfectly clean and pleasant to handle.

CANARY GUANO has many imitators but no equals. It is sold [by s]eedsmen and Florists throughout Great Britain, but if you should [have?] any difficulty in obtaining it, will you please write direct to THE [CHE]MICAL UNION, LTD, IPSWICH, and we will see that you [are s]upplied without delay. If time be an object, it would be well to [includ]e a postal order for the quantity you want, which will then be [dispa]tched immediately.

We sell some thirty or forty different sorts of Fertilizers, both [horti]cultural and agricultural. They are prepared on the most advanced [scient]ific principles, and in the matter of winning prizes and awards they [have?] carried all before them, not only in Great Britain, but in the most [dista]nt parts of the world. We shall be happy to send you our Illustrated [Hort?]iclutural Pamphlet, post free, upon application, and any further particulars [that] may be required.

CANARY GUANO can be sent to any address abroad, in which [case?] it will be put free on board steamer in London, Hull or Liverpool, at the [addres?]s named on the enclosed card, and will be packed suitably for export.

THE CHEMICAL UNION, LIMITED.

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-

716 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [December 2, 1882.

(which has a good hard bright gravel walk in front of it, with massive Ivy-covered arches at intervals) contains the stouter growing plants. It is well arranged to present a bright aspect at all times by planting the evergreen and deciduous plants so as to be mingled in something like order, some old-fashioned Roses being very lovely; one (Rosa Stanwellii?), which bore many heads of irregularly formed double blush flowers, pleased me much better than any of the new hybrid-perpetuals. In addition to the ordinary herbaceous plants in these large borders are fine Rhododendrons, Sedums, Andromedas, Gaultherias, Vacciniums, Pernettyas, Hypericums, Berberis, and a great quantity of other rare shrubs, the foliage of many of the Berberis being as bright as flowers.

The lower rockery is devoted to mossy Saxifrages, and plants of a like habit, each of which by its own arrangement displays a wonderful piece of Nature. The shrubbery and pinetum are well stocked with a good collection of principally rare things, mingled with Pampas-grass, the Hollies being especially fine, a grand Libocedrus decurrens 20 feet high, perfect; and another of Podocarpus koraiana, lovely. In front of the house is the variegated plant garden, which contains many grand foliage plants I had never seen before, the whole forming a most interesting place, and one from which the owner and his family seem to get a great deal of pleasure.

The garden-house, covered with that little known Hedera algierienses variegata, and its porch with Travellers' Joy, is very picturesque and beautiful. James O'Brien, Harrow-on-the-Hill.

The Arboretum.

CORNUS CANADENSIS.—In reference to your interesting notice of Cornus canadensis in the Gardeners' Chronicle for Oct. 28 (p. 565), it may be well to state that the name of "Baked Apples and Pears," applied to it in Collinson's note, is probably an error. "Bake Apple" is the common name used here to designate the fruit of Rubus chamæmorus, which grows abundantly down to the sea-level in several parts of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, and fruits freely. The "berries" are brought to the Halifax market, and sold as "Bake Apple"—the only name, indeed, by which they are known here. In the highlands of Scotland they are called Avrons, and in books Dewberries. The Cornus canadensis is very abundant in Nova Scotia, often covering roadside banks, and producing plentifully its clusters of bright coral-red fruit; but the fruit is not edible. It is called "Pigeon Berry," and is commonly used for personal decoration, for which purpose it is not excelled by any fruit known to me. I should be glad to know the date, actual or probable, of the note in which Collinson refers to the Cornus canadensis growing "all about Halifax," &c.; also when and where Collinson probably got his first plant or seeds of C. canadensis. George Lawson, Dalhousie College, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Nov. 15.

CASTANEA CHRYSOPHYLLA.—At p. 435 of vol. xiv. may be found a notice of this most interesting Californian tree, along with many others that flourish in the beautiful grounds at Tortworth Court. This Chestnut is unquestionably one of the most distinct and handsome evergreen trees that has been introduced during the present century. Not attaining more than what may be described as a small or medium height, it is essentially a species that admits of being introduced to the lawns or shrubberies of gardens of limited extent, as well as where the grounds are extensive, and on this account is the more valuable. It has small handsome foliage, bright green on the upper surface, and almost as yellow beneath as the best varieties of the golden Fern (Gymnogramma chrysophylla). the noble owner of Tortworth—who, we understand, is an enthusiastic lover of trees—may be congratulated upon possessing what we suppose to be the finest specimen in Europe, and, so far as we know, the first that has borne fruit in England. The seeds, excepting those so kindly forwarded to us, have, we believe, all been sown, and with Mr. Shingles' care and experience will stand an excellent chance of growing, and in this way being the first of a race raised from English raised seeds, representing a species likely to become a favourite with

all who take an interest in arboriculture. Accompanying are Mr. Shingles' remarks upon it. T.B.

"Amongst the evergreen trees and shrubs that have been introduced into this country this is one of the handsomest; and the fact that it has stood uninjured through the late severe winters much enhances its value as a decorative tree. The specimen growing in the arboretum here, in a somewhat sheltered position in a sandy loam resting on the Old Red Sandstone, is possibly the finest to be found in Great Britain; it is 22 feet high, and 15 feet through. It has annually borne quantities of sterile burrs, with a miniature Chestnut about the size of a very small Pea. But this year, and for the first time, it has produced fertile burrs with perfect fruit. The leaves are dark green above, with a rich golden powder beneath, and when moved with a gentle breeze produce a most charming effect rarely seen. It inhabits California and Oregon, where it is seldom found more than 6 feet high, but in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, it is said to attain a height of from 30 to 50 feet. It will be most interesting if any of your readers will report through the medium of your columns their acquaintance with this beautiful

[black and white illustration] W.J.W-Sc. Fig. 126—CYPRIPEDIUM INSIGNE, VAR. MAULEI. (SEE P. 717)

tree; also, if this is the first instance known to them of its having produced fertile fruit in this country. I may add that the plant in question was purchased from the Messrs. Veitch directly after its introduction into this country. Thomas Shingles, Tortworth Court, Gloucester." [We have seen it in fruit at Combe Wood, but whether the seeds ripened we do not know. Perhaps Messrs. Veitch will oblige by telling us. ED.]

CRATÆGUS CARRIEREI.—This tree was raised from seed of C. mexicana, which it surpasses in vigour, foliage, and flowers. The latter expand in spring, are at first white, subsequently flesh-coloured. The fruits resemble Cherries in form, size and colouring (bright red), but the principal merit is its persistence throughout the winter. A leafless tree laden with orange or crimson fruit is certainly a first-class decorative plant. The tree is very hardy, since it endured the winter of 1879-80 unhurt. It is grafted on the Hawthorn, and is introduced into commerce by MM. Baltet, of Troyes.

AMARYLLIS AUTUMN BEAUTY.—One of the most beautiful of the Amaryllid family. We lately saw a nice plant of it in flower in Messsrs. Veitch's nursery, with from four to five flowers upon a spike. The flowers are of a crimson hue, deeply veined with lilac.

Orchid Notes and Gleanings.

WORK IN THE HOUSES.—Some of the spring- flowering Denrobiums that finished up their growths early in the season, and have been at rest for a couple of months, will now be commencing to show their flower-buds up the sides of the bulbs, and if the pseudobulbs are strong, and have been well ripened, they ought to produce flowers from every joint. When these plants arrive at this stage they require to be very carefuly watered; in fact, very little, if any, will be required for another month, as a sudden saturation at the root just at this stage of development would most likely turn many of the embryo flowers into growths. Later batches of this section, and also the raceme-flowering kinds, such as D. thyrsiflorum, must be kept as quitely at rest as possible in a temperature of 50[degrees] to 55[degrees] with a dry atmosphere. There are not that many Dendrobes that flower during

the winter season, but D. bigibbum and D. superbiens —though not first-rate kinds—are worth growing for late autumn flowering, and these will be succeeded by D. macrophyllum, which is well worth growing. The next two months are the most critical in the year for any plants that are in growth, and any that are now in this state should be grown as quickly as is consistent with maintaining them in health. It is not difficult to detect at this season of the year whether a plant is getting attenuated through being subjected to too much heat and moisture. Where this is seen to be the case a slight reduction in the temperature should take place, which will produce better ripened growth. These remarks apply to such plants as Sobralias and the few Dendrobes that make their growth during the winter months. They are also applicable to imported Orchids of any kind that were started at the end of summer or early in autumn, and are now just getting into growth. These, in additon to being kept moving as quietly as possible, must be very carefully watered, otherwise some of the tender growths may get rotted, and thus throw the plants back for a couple of seasons. All the Aërides and Vandas will need close attention in the matter of watering during the dull season. Avoid keeping them either too wet or too dry at the root. The former