The Scientific Notebooks of German Orchidologist Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Kränzlin

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