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Ja rela Titelete! inl rate oT iit i - tft iit if ¢ ‘ , “e w Y ‘ : ‘ “16 ki = i 1 ’ oe ia = 2 < wee "; : 4 1 “ i eon > fF ; i coy s 7 wo & a oo ; == i :” =i ’ s a — 7 :t * i . - 4 % ‘ ' ye _ tite aa e : and oe bi X - ° ait ” 1 : = cad : Fi — 4 7 >, ' ' i tA; 5 5 : ' ’ 1 + hs ‘ 4 Y - - J os = 7 == 5 - a . 1 La aS a : 7 7 - - * — > : - 2 i 7 1 * - i! : : : 4 ——— a & x = + . " a - oT 7 - . i 2 : : : i - i ’ 1 5 : _ i - 5 eo i. / — te a . > 21 ' : tt " 7 os : ; ; - a 4 I F =) 2 : H oad ' a - i ‘ “3s A t 5 *, 3 = id ee “i > 7 - i 4 =? ' i ' 7 ' = - : . ' 1 ' 1 a . 2 - ‘ Ds a 1 o ' Ta ' ' a = ' ' ‘ ‘ ‘ = ie A ef ie 2 ' ‘ 2 ae ' ' ' i = ‘ 3 a é , . + 5 ' — t > t =o : aa a ' ‘ ' i THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES. ty, THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. FIGURES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE CHOICKST NEW FLOWERS FOR THE Garden, Stove, or Conservatory. BY Fr W. BURBIDGE,’ AUTHOR OF “DOMESTIC FLORICULTURE,” “THE NARCISSUS; ITS HISTORY AND CULTURE,” ETC. ETC. NEW SERIES. LONDON : L. REEVE & CO., 5, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN, W.C. 1876. PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND CO., LITTLE QUEEN STREET, LINCOLN’S INN FIELDS. PLATE 193. 194. 195. 196. IG 198. £99. 200. 201. 202. 203. 204. 205. 206. 207. 208. 209. 210. zak. 212. 213. 214. 215. 216. CONTENTS. Hybrid Tea Rose—Captain Christy. Begonia—Emperor. Japanese Chrysanthemums—1. Cry Kang. 2. Dr. Masters. Dendrobium Ainsworthii. Begonia Metallica. Gloxinias—1. Crown Prince. 3. Fascination. Chrysanthemums—1. Mrs. Geo. Glenny. 2. Triomphe du Nord. Poinsettia Pulcherrima Plenissima. Draceena Hibberdii. Begonia—Magenta Queen. Gloxinias—1. Masterpiece. cess. 3. Mauve Queen. Amaryllis—Honneur de Haarlem. Marchioness of Lorne. 2. Avalanche. 2. Crown Prin- Camellia Cypripedium Sedeni. Croton Disraeli. Odontoglossum Tripudians. Rhododendron—Prince Leopold. Hyacinth—Sultan. Amaryllis—Thalia. Dendrobium Wardianum Lowii. Phalenopsis Veitchii. Hibiscus Collerii. Auricula—Alexander Meiklejohn. Hybrid Perpetual Rose—Duke of Con- naught. S oo bho ee wenwonwewwwbW Ww bb bd ono ON SD Oe jl bo i SoD NMONMNINAWA WO NNMNNM WH WWN WD WW NY Or Go Oo) Oo) © Go co Oo hS (Se) mr) . Clematis Lanuginosa Violacea. . Freesia Leichtliniana. . Hybrid Perpetual Rose—Oxonian. . Cypripedium—Argus. . Rhododendron . Odontoglossum Cirrhosum. . Alpine Auricula—King of the Belgians. . Narcissus Muticus. Star of Ascot. . [xora Regina. . Dendrobium Falconeri. . Godetia Whitneyi—Lady Albemarle. . Erythronium Giganteum. . Dendrobium Bigibbum Superbum. . Agapanthus Umbellatus Fl. Pl. . Begonia Davisii. . Hibiscus Denisoni. . Lihum Auratum Cruentum. . Maranta Massingiana. . Colehicum Speciosum. . Anthurium Ornatum. . Lilium Neilgherrense. . Auricula—''opsey (Kay). . Bomarea Carderi. . Hybrid Pentstemons—1. Mrs. A. F. Barron. 2. Octaroon. Description of Plates. * SS INDEX TO Agapanthus Umbellatus Fl. Pl. Amaryllis—Honneur de Haarlem Amaryllis—Thalia Anthurium Ornatum. Auricula—Alexander Meicleroliy Auricula, Alpine—King of the Belgians Auricula—Topsey (Kay) Begonia— Emperor Begonia Metallica. Begonia—Magenta Queen . Begonia Davisii . Bomarea Carderi . Camellia— Marchioness of Lorne . Op sara, Japanese—1!. Cry ican 2. Dr. Masters . Chrysanthemums—l. Mrs. Geo. Glenny. 2. Triomphe du Nord /€lematis Lanuginosa Violacea Colchicum Speciosum Croton Disraeli Cypripedium Sedeni . Cypripedium—Argus Dendrobium Ainsworthii Dendrobium Wardianum Lowii . Dendrobium Falconeri . Dendrobium Bigibbum Saporsrith Draczena Hibberdii . Erythronium Giganteum PLANTS FIGURED. PLATE 230 | Freesia Leichtliniana. Ol 2 cd co aon m pow we de i) S S& on) Gloxinias—1.Crown Prince. 2. Avalanche. 3. Fascination . Gloxinias—1. Masterpiece. 2. Crown Prin- cess. 3. Mauve Queen |" Godetia oh ae Austins Hibiscus Collerii . | Hibiscus Denisoni Hyacinth —Sultan _Ixora Regina . Lilium Auratum Cr ote Lilium Neilgherrense | Maranta Massingiana | Narcissus Muticus Odontoglossum Tripudians . Odontoglossum Cirrhosum . aca Hybrid—1. Mrs. A. F. Bar- ron. 2. Octaroon . oe Veitchii Poinsettia Pulcherrima Pissiacanh a Rhododendron—Prince Leopold . | Rhododendron—Star of Ascot. Rose, Hybrid Tea—Captain Christy. Rose, Hybrid Perpetual—Duke of Con- naught ; Rose, Hybrid Per aetaal Soe irien : PLATE 218 ae THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES.] JANUARY, 1876. [No. 49. POINSETTIA PULCHERRIMA PLENISSIMA. WE have recently had an opportunity of seeing and sketching the long-talked-of and long-looked-for double Poinsettia at Messrs. Veitch and Sons’ establishment at Chelsea, where it has been bloomed. Dried specimens and drawings have now been known in this country for a couple of years, and the living plant quite bears out all that was expected from the dried plants and sketches. Messrs. Veitch and Sons’ plant is infinitely superior to the old “ single” forms in one or two striking particulars, one of which is that, instead of the usual single tier of bracts, the axis of the inflorescence is bracted repeatedly, and all fhe ramifica- tions bear their quota of coloured bracts, fresh branches proceeding from their axils. ‘This branching goes on till in some cases the heads have been seen to acquire a depth of fifteen inches. We have not at present seen the plant in this state, but the best specimens at Chelsea, which are still a little immature, promise to closely approach these dimensions when the head is well filled up and all the now incipient and small bracts become fully developed, as they doubtlessly soon will. COLOGNE EXHIBITION. Tye English exhibitors at the recent Cologne Exhibi- tion have received the awards made to them, some of which, as the services of porcelain awarded to Messrs. Veitch and Mr. B. S. Williams, are of great beauty and large value. Messrs. Carter and Co., of Holborn, received a medal and handsome diploma for the Grass seeds supplied by them. ZINNIAS. Messrs. Haace anp Scuipt, of Erfurt, are in possession of plauts of several new types of double Ginnia, named Z. Darwinii, Z. Darwinii major, Z. Darwinii vittata, Z. Darwinii pyramidalis vittata, &e. This last is a hybrid raised between Z. Haageana (mexicanum) and Z. elegans, and is said to be very constant and to grow like an inverted pyramid. It is abundantly distinct in habit from the beautiful double forms of Z. elegans now becoming popular. ROSES ON THE BRIER. M. Jean Sistry, of Monplaisir, Lyons, sends the following notes on “Roses on the Brier” to the recently issued No. 104 of the Gardener’s Chronicle :— Rose-growers have long complained of the losses they experience every year of Roses worked on the Brier. Some attribute this to Fungus at the root, and are on the look-out for a remedy. On the other hand, it has been said that the invasion of this parasite must be dependent on contact of the roots with dung or other putrefying matter, from heavy rains, from the employ- ment of old stocks, from late or ill-managed planting, the spaces left between the mounds, &c. ‘The causes assigned by the plant-doctors for the evils of which rosomaniacs complain seem to me to be curious, and have brought to my recollection that I had at one time in my garden a bed of standard Roses; that one day I took a dislike to them because they were looking wretched. When they flowered they gave me the impression of bouquets tied to old brooms, and when the flowers were over nothing but the brooms remained. I took them all up, and having cut their heads off, planted the stems in different places among other shrubs, and in one case at the foot of an Ailanthus glandulosa (Tree of Heaven). The following year all grew vigorously. The one planted at the base of the Ailanthus grew superbly; it is now about fifteen centimétres in circumference, and its branches reach even to the head of the Ailanthus. Every spring its branches, which curve over in a most graceful manner, are covered with flowers. Itis the admiration of all my visitors, and in the autumn my glorious Brier is covered with hips which give an aspect as if the branches were laden with wreaths of coral. The others, though they have done well and are indifferent to Fungus, are less luxuriant, because the Lilacs, the Elders, the Filberts, and other shrubs contest with them the enjoyment of the light and air. Since their transplantation they have been neither manured, nor watered, nor pruned. What are we to infer from this? That the scion is injurious to the Brier? That the Rose budded on the Brier, being less vigorous than the latter, does not obtain for it sutticient atmospheric food? That the variety which it bears being pruned to an extreme cannot fulfil the functions to which the branches and the leaves are destined ? That if Roses worked on the Brier were less pruned, or not at all, the stock would be better? That this unhealthy, enfeebled, and unnatural condition renders the plant more liable to the invasion of the Fungus? I cannot answer these questions, but I am disposed to think that the continual mutilation of plants is injurious to their well-doing. All horticultural writers agree in saying that, in order that a plant may live its allotted span, there should be a proper balance between root and top—which is probable; and yet they THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. recommend all sorts of mutilations, and laugh at those who think pruning injurious, if not useless. At the recent Pomological Congress at Ghent did not the members laugh at one of the speakers who, at the close of a rather long discussion as to the best mode of pruning, recommended his hearers not to prune at all, and to plant standard trees? Many people are now of the same opinion. THE ORIGIN OF THE AURICULA. In a most interesting pamphlet, entitled “Die Ges- chichte der Aurikel,” reprinted from the ‘ Proceedings of the Deutscher und Osterreichischer Alpenverein,”’ says A. W. B.in the Gardener’s Chronicle for December 25th last, Professor Kerner, of Innsbruck, recently appointed to succeed the veteran Fenzl at Vienna, gives a' full and detailed account of the introduction of this favourite flower into the gardens of Europe. Towards the close of the sixteenth century the wonderful beauty of the alpine flora appears first to have attracted the attention of plant-growers in the West of Europe. Even at that time many of the most striking of these—Primula Clusiana, P. Auricula, P. farinosa, Anemone Hepatica, Adonis vernalis, Cypri- pedium Calceolus, Daphne Cueorum, and others—were freely sold in the market at Vienna, and were cultivated in the gardens of that and other neighbouring towns. The summits, precipices, and ravines were also then visited by foreign botanists, who for the first time investigated the alpine flora, especially Pona of Verona, Kamerer (Camerarius of Niirnberg), but especially by the great Belgian botanist De l’Escluse (Clusius), who lived for some years (1573 to 1587) at Vienna, and during that time scaled many of the alpine peaks of Carinthia, Styria, and the Tyrol, in search of floral treasures, which he transferred to his garden in the Austrian capital. For the genus Primula Clusius had a special affection. The three English lowland species, P. veris, P. vulgaris, and P. elatior, were then commonly cultivated in gardens, as well as the hybrid Polyanthus under the name of Primula anglica; and he endeavoured to naturalise in his garden a considerable number of the alpine species, especially P. Auricula and P. glutinosa. To the whole of these species so introduced he gave the name “ Auricula Ursi,”’ from a supposed resemblance in the shape of the leaves to that of the ear of a bear, a name subsequently corrupted into the local designation ‘“ Sanikel,”’, distinguishing each of the varieties or species by separate numbers. Of all these transplanted species, Olusius finally succeeded in naturalising only two—the Auricula Ursi I., or Primula Auricula, Linn., and the Auricula Ursi II., or Primula pubescens, Jacq., roots of which he transmitted to his friend Van der J)ilft, in Belgium, whence they spread over Germany, and were known in Strasburg in 1595; and by the middle of the following century had come into general cultivation throughout continental Europe and England. Of these two Auriculas, however, the P. Auricula, Linn., being a true species, showed but little tendency to variation, was comparatively neglected, and in time died almost entirely out of cultivation; while P. pubescens, Jacq., which is shown by Kerner to bea natural hybrid between P. Auricula and P. hirsuta, All., gave birth to a great series of varieties—the English, or farinose, and the Dutch strains being especially distinct—and by the close of the seventeenth century had become one of the most valued of all cultivated plants. The name of Auricula did not originate with Clusius, but is used by Matthioli in 1555, and even by earlier writers. The history of Primula pubescens, Jacq., the ancestor of our garden Auriculas, is then investigated. In his Historia Plantarwm, published in 1601, Clusius states that he has in vain sought for his Auricula Ursi II. on the Austrian and Syrian Alps, and that he first saw it in the garden of his friend, Professor Aichholtz, at Vienna; but subsequently records his delight at gathering it in the neighbourhood of Innsbruck. For two centuries after this it was sought for in vain by many botanists in its native habitat. Between 1774 and 1794 it was again found in the Tyrol by Wulfen, but only in the gardens of peasants, who asserted that they obtained it from the neighbouring mountains. Wulfen forwarded the plant to Jacquin, who described it in his Miscellanies, 1, 158, t. 18, as a species, under the name Primula pubescens, which it has since retained. In 1867 Professor Kerner himself re-dis- covered the P. pubescens apparently in its original habitat, near Innsbruck, in a chasm known as the Hematkehl, near the village of Gschnitz. There occur in this neighbourhood alternations of dolomitic lime- stone and slate, and consequently of the two parent species of the hybrid, P. Auricula and hirsuta, whieh are partial to these two different geological formations. Other habitats of a precisely similar character were afterwards discovered. This then appears to be the history of the cultivated Auricula, which is stated in conclusion by Professor Kerner to be, as far as he knows, the only alpine plant which has in the course of time come into general cultivation in the gardens of the rest of Europe. CATALOGUE RECEIVED. Sutton and Sons’ Amateurs Guide and Spring Catalogue jor 1876. Tus well-printed and tastefully got-up catalogue deserves more than a mere acknowledgment. The kitchen garden is not within our particular sphere. In the Floral Department we have short but very precise and practical directions for the cultivation of the favourite annuals. In the very complete list which follows, instead of a mere string of dry names, unintelligible except to the initiated, we have a brief description of the plant, its duration, height, colour, &c., and in addition a series of excellent wood- cuts; so that we can form a very correct idea of the plants themselves, and thus select what is best adapted to our purpose, instead of ordering at random, as we have had too often to do. We cordially recom- mend this Guide to every Amateur. Te) 3 W.G.Smith,F.LS.ds! ét hth TEA ROSE Captain Gnristy FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES L Reeve &Co.5, Hemetta: St. Covent Garden. V Brooks Day &Sou Imp. en em : =) og fr a Ce ol a Oe Puate 193. HYBRID TEA ROSE—‘“ CAPTAIN CHRISTY,” Tuls is one of the series of grand Roses recently exhibited by Mr. Henry Bennett, of the Manor Farm Nursery, Stapleford, Salisbury. The subject of our plate received a first-class certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society on April 21st last. ‘Captain Christy ” commences quite anew type of Rose, and its whole habit clearly indicates its being, without doubt, a Hybrid Tea. It is an evergreen, and it blooms much more beautifully and in better form under glass than out of doors in this country. It becomes delicate late in autumn out of doors, and will not live on the Manetti stock. ‘Captain Christy ” was almost the first Rose in bloom out of doors at Stapleford in the spring; it continued to flower all through the summer, and was particularly fine in the middle of November last. The fact of this Rose being a Hybrid Tea quite upsets the theory entertained by many Rose- growers that the Tea Rose will not blend with the Hybrid Perpetual. ‘‘ Captain Christy ” was originally raised by M. Lacharme, a grower who has perhaps produced more really good Roses than all the rest of the raisers put together; and we have his authority for stating it to be a true hybrid between Victor Verdier fertilised by the Tea Rose Safrano, ‘‘ Here is a sketch,” says M. Lacharme, in a letter to Mr. Bennett, “ of my seed-bearing Roses, planted against a wall and facing the south. The first flowering is from the 15th of April to the 13th of May, and is no good for seed, for the flowers are very full, little disposed to bear reproductive organs, and still less adapted for fecundation. It is necessary to restrain this first blooming, so as to arrive as soon as possible at the second flowering, which commences at the end of June. This latter blooming is the best for fertilisation, for now the flowers are less full, the reproductive organs are more fully developed, and the fine dew of summer is a great aid to fecundation. Some growers practise artificial fertilisation, but I have little faith in it. It is necessary that the specimens to be hybridised should be from ten to twenty years old to produce really good new kinds.” Pruate 194. BEGONIA “EMPEROR.” Tue grand new hybrid Begonia here figured is a cross between B. Clarkii and B. Chelsoni, and was raised at the famous establishment of Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea. Begonia “‘ Emperor” was exhibited before the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society in June last, and was unanimously awarded a first-class certificate. It is one of the finest of the tuberous-rooted forms now so well known, and is likely not only to prove a gorgeous ornament to the greenhouse, but, as they can stand considerable exposure without harm, to be suitable for the summer flower-bed. It is related to the famous Begonias known under B. Veitchii and B. bolivensis, and B. intermedia, all three of which have been figured and described in our former volumes; the first of these, at least, is now known to be able to stand our winters without injury. The crosses obtained by these plants and others from Bolivia and Peru have all been excellent, the flowers being large in size, of good form, and ranging in colour from cadmium yellow through scarlet and vermilion to the most vivid crimson. When the flowers have done blooming and the deciduous foliage has dropped away, the earth should be shaken off the plants, and the tuberous roots preserved in a dry place for the next season. PEATE’ 195. JAPANESE CHRYSANTHEMUMS—1. “CRY KANG.” 2. “DR. MASTERS.” Tue fine blooms of Japanese Chrysanthemums represented on this plate have not been selected for their positive newness, but for the very excellent form in which they have of late been grown and exhibited by Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea, to whom we are indebted for the opportunity of presenting this plate to our readers. 1, “Cry Kang,” was originally sent out by Messrs. E. G. Henderson and Son, of St. John’s Wood, of whom Messrs. Veitch and Sons received it about two years ago; and 2, “Dr. Masters,” has now been in cultivation for some time, and it was, we believe, originally sent out either by the late Mr. Salter or by Mr. Turner, of Slough. No year passes but these varieties are brought to a greater pitch of perfection, and two more distinct, handsome, and richly- coloured varieties of Japanese Chrysanthemums it would be difficult to name. In an excellent essay on the history of the Chrysanthemum published in the Gardeners Chronicle for October 30th last, the writer of the paper says that the plant has always been held in great esteem in its native land, and that all early travellers in China and Japan have been struck with the beauty and variety of its blossoms, and refer to it as one of the characteristic plants of the region. We learn that Gemelli, who-travelled in China in 1696, observed the Chrysanthemums there grown between rows of bricks to make fine walks, and Thunberg saw the plant in a wild state in the neighbourhood of Nagasaki. Perhaps the oddest use of the flowers is that to which they are put by the people of Jeddo, where the tea-gardens are adorned with “imitation ladies” made up of these blossoms. ‘Thousands of flowers,” says Mr. Fortune, ‘were used for this purpose; and as these artificial beauties smiled upon the visitors out of the little alcoves and summer-houses, the effect was oftentimes rather striking.” Mr. Fortune also mentions a method of growing the Chrysanthemum which, as far as we know, has not been attempted among ourselves; they are grafted upon the thick stems of a species of Artemesia, and are then trained as standards, after the manner of our standard Roses, growing with great vigour under these somewhat singular circumstances, Puate 196. DENDROBIUM AINSWORTHIHI. DeEnpDRoBIUM AINSWORTHII is another hybrid Orchid of first-rate excellence; it comes from the collection of Dr. Ainsworth, of Broughton, Manchester, and is a hybrid raised by Mr. Ainsworth’s gardener, Mr. Mitchell, between D. heterocarpum and D. nobile. It was no less than seven years before the seeds (which were sown on a block of wood) produced flowers. When exhibited before the Royal Horticultural Society it received a first-class certificate. Our illustration only shows a very small portion of the plant, and nearly all the foliage has (from the smallness of the plate) been omitted. It will probably take some years before a good stock of this novelty is obtained, but there can be no doubt it is a hybrid Orchid of the first-class. Mr. Thomas Moore, in writing of Orchid hybrids, says :—‘‘The veil which at one time seemed to shroud the question of hybridising Orchidaceous plants, and which in bygone times few cultivators besides Mr. Dominy succeeded in lifting, must now have been rent in twain, seeing that hybrids of Orchids are appearing from various quarters” Dendrobium Ainsworthii is by no means the least beautiful or interesting of these “art union” pictures which have been exhibited to an appreciative public. oo oe are W,.G. Smith, F.LS. del et itl Cry FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES L Reeve &Co.5 Henrietta: Sr. Covent Garden. Cf V.Broal ks, D) ay & Sou, imp W.G.Smith,F. LS. del et ith. DE OO Bt UM FLORAL MAGAZIN L.Reeve &Co.5 Hennett ges ni t = ’ ‘ v< 4 . . a . ’ es 2 , FT THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES.] FEBRUARY, 1876. EXHIBITIONS. Tue first meeting of the year held by the Royal Horticultural Society at South Kensington brought together a good number of plants of great interest. A first-class certificate was awarded to Mr. Wm. Denning, gardener to Lord Londesborough, for a grandly-flowered plant of Dendrobium teretifolium. Other Orchids were forwarded by Messrs. Veitch and Sons, Mr. B. S. Williams, Sir William Marriott, W. Burnley Hume, Esq., and Mr. Charles Green, of Reigate. THE NEW VARIETY OF POINSETTIA PULCHERRIMA. SpEaxine of Messrs. Veitch and Sons’ new P. pul- cherrima plenissima, figured by us in the present number, the Gardener’s Chronicle remarks that the epithet ‘‘ double,’ as applied to this handsome plant, is a complete misnomer. The term “double” is strictly applied only to those cases where petals are substituted for stamens and pistils, or where there is an unusual number of petals. Nothing of this kind occurs in the Poinsettia. What happens in the so- called double Poinsettia is this—instead of one row comprising a relatively small number of coloured bracts, as in the ordinary form, we have here a crown of leaves as bright in colour as usual, but much more numerous, owing to the repeated branching of the flower-stem. The original Poinsettia was discovered in Mexico by M. Poinsette, and came into the hands of Mr. Buist, of Philadelphia. Mr. McNab, the present Curator of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edin- burgh, then in America, brought it thence to Edin- burgh in 1834. The late Dr. Graham, Professor of Botany in the University, figured and described the plant in the Botanical Magazine, tab. 3493, from specimens which flowered in the garden. Shortly after it flowered with Dr. Neill, of Canonmills, near Edinburgh, and it rapidly assumed the popularity it now enjoys as a brilliant flowering winter shrub. Whether the present variety will be as popular as the typical plant remains to be seen. Botanically speaking, Poinsettia is not distinguishable from a Spurge or Euphorbia; but the garden name will pro- bably never be disturbed, and it is not to be desired that it should be. One inquirer asks if the bracts are to, be considered part of the flower or not. This is a [No. 50. question not so simple as it seems at first sight. Structurally they are not parts of the flower, but physiologically they are important accessories to it, as it seems most probable that their purpose is to attract insects, and direct them to the nectar which exudes from the flower, and so ensure the setting of the seed. It would be interesting if some Mexican traveller could tell us what are the insects which visit the flower in that country. PELARGONIUM SPORTS. Dr. Joun Denny, of Stoke Newington, writing to a contemporary, says that he has a seedling Pelargonium which produces flowers with sufficient difference in their shades of colour to be each sent out as distinct varieties. Dr. Denny states that the plant mentioned grew up asingle stem to the height of nine inches; then, instead of going on straight, as is mostly the case with seedlings until they flower, it forked into two branches, and when it flowered, the colour of the flowers produced was of a lilac-pink on the one side and rose-pink on the other. The cuttings that have been taken off these branches have been kept under different numbers, none of which have as yet flowered ; so it remains to be seen if they will retain their distinctive colours. There is a slight difference in the habit of growth, the rose-pink side being the most robust grower, and in this the cuttings exhibit the character of the parent branch. I see no reason why seedling plants should not produce flowers of different colour from the opposite sides of the stem, as well as is commonly the case as regards the foliage. Not only does it frequently occur that, in seedlings bred for tricoloured foliage, one side of the stem sends forth green and the other variegated foliaged branches ; but I once saw a seedling plant which produced golden tricoloured foliage on the one side and silver tri- coloured foliage on the other. It would be well to watch and note whether this tendency of the Pelar- gonium to sport as regards the colour of its flowers at the present time is occurring generally. It seems also to be sporting in England and on the Continent into doubleness also. At the time Mr. Grieve raised his first tricoloured foliage varieties, the Pelar- gonium showed symptoms of sporting (quite inde- pendent of those bred from the variegated parents) into variegation both in England and on the Continent at the same time. These facts, as regards the changes THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. occurring in plants or trees, are worthy of record, because it is just possible they may throw some light upon the formation, not merely of new varieties, but of what are termed species, both in the vegetable and animal kingdoms; for I think it probable that each of these sports, if they were not impregnated by single varieties and perpetuated from seed, but were left to themselves (I am alluding now to the sports into doubles) a given number of years, would refuse to breed with the single varieties from which they sported, and would then be said to be of a distinct species. The watching, of course, and noting these physio- logical facts as they occur, unimportant as they appear at first sight, might lead on to the solving of some of the conjectures mooted of late as to the origin of all species. DOUBLE PELARGONIUMS. From time to time we have figured a considerable number of new Double Pelargoniums, and recently one of the principal raisers, M. V. Lemoine, to whom we have more than once adverted, addressed the Revue Horticole on this subject. M. Lemoine says the unexpected appearance of the first double flowers of Pelargonium in the Botanical Garden of Clermont- Ferraud formed an epoch, although the learned and regretted M. Lecoq could never diseover whence they eame. It is scarcely doubtful that they were the production of dimorphism, frequent examples of this phenomenon amongst Zonal Pelargoniums having recently appeared—for instance, in Madame Rose Charmeux, which is a fixed sport from Tom Thumb; Garibaldi, a fixed sport from Rose Charmeux ; album plenum, sport from Madame Vaucher; Drapeau National, from Gloire de Nancy; &c. All know that this last variety was obained from Beauté de Suresnes, fertilised by a stamen from the first double flower from Clermont. What charming plants have been produced from this stock! It is fair to say that many growers looked with a partial eye on their own productions, and offered them to credulous amateurs, who filled their houses with new names only, and were fortunate if the plants were more than mediocre in appearance. In 1867 appeared Camellizeflorum, Madame Lemoine, Wilhelm Pfitzer, and Madame Rose Charmeux, varieties which long remained in favour with culti- vators. 1868 furnished Marie Lemoine, Victor Lemoine, M. Froebel, and many others of little merit, not differing materially from those we already pos- sessed. In 1869 some English varieties were introduced; Due de Suez and Princess of Teck were, however, obtained from French raisers. Conqueror (Bull) and Mary Elizabeth were good plants of that year. In 1870 (year of wretched memories) the varieties Madame Gebhart, Louis van Houtte, Victoire de Lyon, showed real progress; this last variety especially, which we owe to the perseverance of M. Jean Sisley. These have been the source of several tints, notably rose violacé, lie de vin, groseille, and ponceau, which have since been obtained from them. To mention only those plants the merit of which has been proved, 1871 gives us M. Rollisson (Bruant), Incendie de Fontenoy (Lemoine), Patriote Lorraine (Lem.), Gambetta (Lem.), Boquet (Bull), and L’Année Terrible (Lem.) —the last remains in collections. 1872 gave us Macleod (Bruant), Madame Crousse (Crousse), Charles Darwin (Sisley), Emilio Castelar (Sisley), and several others, to which prompt justice has been done. In 1873 some of M. Bertier’s plants were worthy of notice. Among others we must mention Madame Dauphin, Comte de Lambertyé, and Souvenir de Lyons. M. Bruant, of Poitiers, gave us President Fonteneau. We had also Madame Dellesalle (Del.), M. Crousse (Cr.), Ernest Picard (Lem.), M. Boissier (Bruant), &ec. This was the same year in which seeds were obtained from the first white Double Pelargonium so much wished for—Aline Sisley; also from the first salmon, Asa Gray. These two first-rate varieties were the products of the energetic M. J. Sisley, who, like other growers, was not discouraged by his first failures; in fact, it seemed for a time, after many futile attempts, impossible to cross the first Double Pelar- goniums (inquirans) with the Zonal. This, however, has now been done; and since 1874 we have obtained from the same raiser two lovely varieties—George Sand and Francois Pertusati—to augment the contin-— gent. Possessing these new elements, all raisers abandoned inquirans, which only produced well-known tints of colour, with umbels more or less perfect, in order to devote their attention to the Zonals, which have the undoubted merit of remaining more dwarf in growth and possessing a less leafy habit, yet flower as abundantly as the simple ones, and, above all, offer a larger field for the experimenter, and the success obtained in one year is truly astonishing. In order to obtain double flowers nothing must be left to chance, and the crosses effected between all the colours produce various new and unexpected shades of colour, such as would be obtained rarely in the case of seedlings raised with a view of perfecting simple flowers, accustomed as one is to collect the seeds with- out preparation. The year 1875 has enriched us with many new varieties, and for 1376 surprises await us. CATALOGUES RECEIVED. B.S. Wiittams, Upper Holloway. CursusH AND Son, Highgate. Aut, Roozen Anp Son, Overveen, near Haarlem. James Vick, Rochester, New York. Dick, Rapcuirre, and Co., High Holborn. Puate 197. BEGONIA METALLICA. THE superb new plant which is the subject of the present plate is in the hands of Mr, B. 8. Williams, of the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Upper Holloway, and will be sent out by him in the month of May next ensuing. Begonia metallica will probably prove to be one of the most useful Begonias yet sent out, both on account of its grand foliage and its lovely bloom. The leaves are bronze-green, with a rich metallic lustre, greatly in the style of Alocasia metallica ; the mature leaves have dark brown veins on the upper surface, and the back of each leaf is rich blood-red in colour. The flowers are satiny-white and carmine, darker on the back than front, and elegantly covered with hair-like processes. The plant is of shrubby evergreen growth, a profuse and perpetual bloomer, throwing up its large heads of handsome white and carmine blossoms well above the foliage. It makes excellent compact plants, from nine to twelve inches high, so that Begonia metallica will probably prove a new and very valuable ornament for the conservatory and dinner-table. The temperature most suitable for this plant is, says Mr. Williams, that of an intermediate house, say from fifty to sixty degrees, and it should be grown in a light but rich soil, consisting of loam, leaf-mould, and peat in equal parts, with a good sprinkling of sand. Pruate 198. GLOXINIAS.—-1. CROWN PRINCE. 2. AVALANCHE. 3. FASCINATION. More than six years have elapsed since we were last able to give a plate of really good and new varieties of Gloxinia. Recently, however, Mr. B. 8. Williams, of the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Upper Holloway, has sent us a number of new and strikingly beautiful varieties, of which we now figure three, and hope in an early number to figure three others of equal merit with those now given. Varieties of Gloxinia, like varieties of many other florists’ flowers, have been numerous enough during the last few years, but very few of real sterling merit like those now illustrated have been met with. The set of Gloxinias which we have seen in the possession of Mr. Williams, of Upper Holloway, and which he intends to send out in the forthcoming spring, have blooms of extraordinary brilliancy, depth, and purity of colour, and great size and substance. They will not fail to secure a good place amongst the most choice varieties of these plants wherever they appear in collections. With pure air the Gloxinia is a plant of easy culture, and can be had in flower during nine months of the year. The soil most suitable is arich fibrous loam, mixed with leaf-mould and peat in equal parts, with a good sprinkling of silver or river sand. Gloxinias may easily be grown from leaves only, and for this purpose the full-grown leaves destined for plants should be inserted about halfway in the soil, or the leaves may be cut into short lengths, care being taken to preserve part of the leaf-blade intact, and these short lengths planted edgewise in silver sand after the manner of ordinary cuttings. These should now be kept well watered, and placed in a shaded hot-bed or warm propagating-pit, when the roots will speedily appear. Another plan is to cut through the mid-rib at intervals, peg down the leaf, place silver sand about the incisions, and keep the leaf shaded in a close frame, with a brisk heat. The leaves should make roots at each cut. Similar facts hold good with the leaves of Hoyas, Echeverias, and other plants. Puate 199. CHRYSANTHEMUMS.—MRS. GEORGE GLENNY AND TRIOMPHE DU NORD. Ir Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea, in their recent fine display of Chrysanthemums at South Kensington, exhibited few positively new varieties of these handsome autumnal plants, it must be conceded that they exhibited some of the older varieties in such new and improved form that they were really quite deserving of being sent out as quite new. Of these the two we now figure are examples. 1. ‘“ Mrs. George Glenny”’ was sent out so recently as 1874 by Mr. H. Canneli, of Woolwich, and is a fine sport from the well-known variety, ‘‘ Mrs. George Rundle.” 2. “Triomphe du Nord” is an older variety, but one of the very best, and was originally sent out by Mr. Turner, of Slough. PLatTE 200. POINSETTIA PULCHERRIMA PLENISSIMA. Unprr the above name this magnificent new variety of P. pulcherrima has recently been described by Mr. Thomas Moore in the Gardener’s Chronicle. Our coloured plate is only one half the natural size, and represents to this reduced scale a single head of one of the specimen plants at Messrs. Veitch and Sons’ Nursery. The coloured bracts of the original measured somewhat more than eighty inches across. This is the long-talked-of and singular novelty discovered in May, 1873, by M. Benedict Roezl, in a small Indian village in the Mexican State of Guerrero. The Horticultural Press has, with one accord, spoken in the highest possible terms of this valuable new variety of the old Poinsettia of our gardens, and the Journal of Horticulture says that “since the introduction of the well-known plant, Poinsettia pulcherrima, from Mexico forty years ago, it has been without a rival as a distinct, scarlet- bracted, winter decorative plant. It is now, however, likely to be effectually superseded by a new and totally distinct form, which has also been discovered in Mexico by M. Roezl, and which is regarded by that collector as the most valuable of all his discoveries. The entire stock of the new Poinsettia is in the possession of the Messrs. Veitch, and is now in full beauty at their nurseries at Chelsea. ‘The examples which we have scen of this plant are remarkable alike for the size of the heads, their form, the distinct character of the bracts, and their marvellous brilliancy of colour. In the old type the plant is surmounted by a single cluster of yellow flowers, from the base of which the bracts radiate in a horizontal manner. In the new form the central or primary cyme, which is surrounded by splendid bracts, is, as it were, the root of other flowers which spring from it on short simple stems, each surmounted by flowers and bracts ; and these secondary heads become further subdivided, and forming also perfect flowers and bracts—the head, in fact, culminating in a multiplication of parts, each perfect and of extraordinary brilliancy. ‘The head, which we more particularly noted, was sixteen inches in diameter, and from the base to the apex of the cone of drooping bracts was eleven inches in depth. The bracts on this head were fifty in number, arranged on seven separate cymes which had sprung from the primary base. The colour is superlatively brilliant, as if a delicate tint of orange floated over the intense scarlet, imparting a more dazzling appearance than is possessed by the old species. If the designation ‘a cone of fire’ is applicable to any plant in existence, this is the one.” Messrs. Veitch and Sons inform us that the entire stock is in their hands, and now ready for distribution. ; W.G,Smith,F.LS.del et ith. BE GON VA Nee TA TAA FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES L Reeve &Co.5, Hennmetta: St. Covent Garden . .del et ith FLORAL MAGAZINE ay, hae i + r ta \ - il * ' . % tos, W,G.SmithFLS FLORAL MAG# L.Reeve &Co.5 Henrietta Teh r | iu iV l of. Covent Gar ‘ * , a - ’ . " * q e Tapley {Waacy) 4° IOUS H GV 2B aAsoyT"T SHTYHS MAN ANIZVOVAL IVAOTI “OAs s/PInteus Wer du) dy wo ATP A VNISSINGTd VWIduaHOTNd VILLAISNI0d "ELS FPS etn vAU DRACAINA HIBBERDTI. THs is a garden hybrid of great beauty and of medium growth. It has the pendulous habit of D. excelsa, with leaves of the rich metallic colour shown in the plate, the young foliage being luminous carmine. As a decorative plant it is of the first class, and it is, we are informed, to be sent out in May by Mr. B.S. Williains, of the Victoria and Paradise N ursery, at Upper Holloway. It has been named after Mr. Shirley Hibberd, the editor of the Gardener's Magazine. The culture and propagation of Dracenas is very easy, and the best method to follow, according to a recent writer in the Garden, is to take an old stem—no matter how thick—cut it into pieces an inch long, lay these in congenial soil, give a bottom heat of eighty or ninety degrees, and in three or four weeks each piece will be a young, sturdy plant, which only requires time and care to grow it into a splendid specimen. No plants are more suitable for table decoration than Draczenas, when proper plants are selected. If they are too tall for that purpose, pass your knife round them at the desired height to the depth of the bark, with the thumb-nail press the severed part away, take a little nice sandy soil, and with a handful of moss fasten it around the wound, and in a few weeks the head will be rooted, and may be removed with perfect safety, to be placed in a vase or any other convenient place. This, to say the least of it, is a convenient way of extemporising a plant. Then every joint, from the place where the severance is made to the base, will produce a shoot that will make a plant ; and, what is more, the stronger roots may be cut into lengths an inch or two long, and, under the same conditions as the stem cuttings, each piece will make a plant. PLATE 202. BEGONIA—MAGENTA QUEEN. Tus is a second handsome new Begonia, to be sent out by Mr. B. 8. Willams, of Upper Holloway, in May next. The habit and great size and brilliancy of the flowers can be better understood by a reference to our cojoured plate than by any mere verbal description. Considerable attention has been given to the proper culture of these plants in recent numbers of the Journal of Horticulture, where it is said, under ‘ Pot Culture,” that the tubers should be potted in February, in small pots, in soil consisting of two-thirds of good friable loam, the remaining third being equal moieties of leaf or light peat mould and silver sand. The drainage should be ample and efficient. Water should be sparingly apphed until the plants have made some growth; but when they are growing vigorously a more copious supply is necessary. As they increase in size they should be shifted into larger pots, and the shifting repeated till the flower-buds make their appearance. The temperature in which the plants are started should be from fifty to fifty-five degrees; as the season advances this may be slightly raised. Under the conditions above stated, fine specimen-plants in eight and even twelve-inch pots may be obtained from good tubers. As soon as the flowering is over— which in healthy well-grown specimens lasts from two to three months—the tubers must not be allowed to dry too rapidly, or they will shrivel and weaken, They should be allowed to dry off very gradually, and afterwards be preserved in a cool, dry place, of course tree from frost. Prate 203. NEW GLOXINIAS. ‘THE three new varieties of Gloxinia here figured are the plants referred to in our last number as being in the possession of Mr. B. 8. Williams, of Upper Holloway, and to be sent out by him this spring. The size and colour of the blooms will be best understood by a glance at the plate, which speaks for itself. The Gloxinia, says the Garden, has of late been so much improved upon, and seeds so freely, that a pinch of seed will be certain to furnish some very fine varieties, and there is the additional pleasure of watching for new beauties to unfold themselves. The seed of the Gloxinia is as easily raised as that of the Chinese Primulas. If 2 pinch of seed be sown in March in a pan of fine soil, and covered with a sheet of glass or a bell-glass, and placed in a cucumber house or a propagating-pit, it soon germinates. As soon as the plants are large enough to handle, they should be pricked out into shallow boxes in a fine soil consisting of peat, silver sand, and thoroughly-decayed leaf-mould, and grown on in a brisk bottom-heat. In June the plants will be fit to put into forty-eight-sized pots, in which they will flower during August, September, and October. A packet of seed saved from a good strain will produce flowers both of the drooping and erect-flowering varieties. Syringing overhead is recommended by some growers, but this should be withheld while the plants are in flower. Ina dry atmosphere the leaves are apt to become infested with red spider. . PLATE 204. AMARYLLIS—HONNEUR DE HAARLEM. Tue Amaryllis here figured is rich in colour, and very distinct from most other varieties. It has been selected for illustration from Messrs. Veitch and Son’s rich collection at Chelsea, and we are informed by Messrs. Veitch that it came originally from Messrs. Schertzer, of Haarlem, who are well-known and successful hybridisers of the members of the genus Amaryllis. At the last meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, Messrs. Veitch and Sons contributed one of the finest collections of hybrid Amaryllis ever seen. The group numbered forty-two plants, and was a most effective one. First-class certificates were awarded to ‘“ Junius,” deep blood-red, with a darker shade down the centre of the segments, a good bold flower ; “‘ Sultan,” a crimson-shaded claret, with a light centre and recurved segments; ‘‘ Agatha,” a fine, smooth flower, crimson-tipped and edged with creamy-white; “ Pheebe,” dark vermilion red, with a pale green centre, very striking; ‘Rev. J. Staniforth,” rosy claret, with a well-defined band of white down the centre of the segments; and “Circe,” a large, broad-petalled flower and well-reflexed, petals deep crimson with a green eye, the three lower segments having indications of a slight stripe. The group was _ highly commended, and a vote of thanks awarded to an almost equally good group of Cyclamens sent by the same firm. These varieties of Amaryllis (Hippeastum) are, for the most part, crosses between H. pardinum, H. Leopoldi, H. Ackermanni pulcherrimum, and others, and their colours vary from rich crimson through all the shades of rose, white, vermilion, and scarlet, some being striped, tipped, or margined in the most distinct manner possible. It is almost impossible to adequately describe the vivid colours of these plants ; some of the light varicties are very chaste. The batch added another honour to the great Chelsea firm, and the plants will be of immense value to decorators. W.G.SmithF L&.del et lith. | al 4 7 | 4 Be eA) bf “A +. W.G.Smith,F.LS.del et lth. RB E G 0 NIA MAG ENTA () Ee N. V.Brocks Day &Son imp FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES eve &Co.5. Henrietta. Sr.Covent Garden mel 4 th mith,F.LS,del et ie) a W.G ( ry Ae 7 en ‘ ; “ . = =e nin Eto Pan an a Le ay : ‘ - . . ‘ a. ¢ va - n ‘ i‘ , - f y - . Ohad - ' n . - a = . 7 % Us . F ‘ ~ =. 7 obs Hi is j =“ : — . PN BST LENE PTO meteor ney — SS = ee SG < poy fr] | a s ] 4 if | \ W.G.Smith LS del et ith. By JRAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIE: ee al Garden Covent enrletta St Rome 0 n L Reeve &! Se eae A i tt : : . ‘ wer iN ae ‘ r - o Hi : : ‘ : eS . , 7 ss . Sy aj a > sere | “ THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES.] APRIL, 1876. [No. 52. FLOWER SHOWS. Art the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society held on March 15th last, Messrs. James Veitch and Sons again sent a magnificent collection of their seed- ling Amaryllis, certainly finer-grown and more gor- geously-coloured plants than anything ever before shown in this section. Two varieties, Thalia and Clio, were awarded First-class Certificates, and one of these we hope to figure at an early date. Amongst the grand Hyacinths also sent by the same firm, three were selected by the Floral Committee for First-class Certificates—viz., Sultan, The Shah, and Golden Lion and of one of these, by the kindness of Messrs. Veitch and Sons, we shall shortly be able to publish a figure. The same firm also received First-class Certificates for Abutilon Darwinii tessellata, a handsome new variety with mottled leaves; for Phalaenopsis Veitchu, a supposed hybrid between P. Schilleriana and P. rosea, the flowers of which are very distinct, larger than those of P. rosea, and of a soft rosy colour, while the leaves slightly resemble those of P. Schilleriana ; for Odontoglossum Chestertoni, a distinct variety with creamy-white flowers bearing large brown spots. Messrs. Thibaut and Keteleer, Sceux, France, re- ceived a First-class Certificate for Xanthoceras sorbi- folia, a fine new hardy shrub with crimson-centred white flowers and elegant ash-like foliage. Henry Little, Esq., Twickenham, received a First-class Certi- ficate for Cyclamen persicum, Purple Gem, a very dark rosy-purple flower. Mr. Richard Dean, of Haling, contributed several seedling hardy Primroses, one of which, named Brilliant, was remarkable for the size of its rich crimson-maroon flowers. We have before adverted to the fine race of coloured primroses intro- duced by Mr. Dean, and we hope shortly to give a plate of some of his best selected varieties. PRIMROSES AND THEIR VARIETIES. My name having been long associated with improve- ments in the common Primrose of our hedges, is the reason why I communicate a paper concerning these plants. One of our English poets has said in respect of our rustics and their appreciation, or rather want of appreciation, of these plants that— ‘* A Primrose by the river’s brim A yellow Primrose was to him, And it was nothing more.” And so it is with thousands of persons who walk abroad in the glowing spring-time and see in upland and in valley hundreds of these pleasant spring visitants, and look on them and pass by unconcerned as did priest and Levite of old in that immortal narra- tive wherein ‘‘ a certain man went down to Jerusalem, and fell among thieves.” Many a time have I walked in the spring woods and seen— ‘¢ Primroses cluster round my feet, and reach In lightsome groups, like lambs upon a March Down, to the river’s rushy side,” and wished it were possible to vary these beautiful natural pictures with other Primroses having brighten- ing hues of rose and red, violet and purple, blush and violet. In some spots I had noticed the presence of tints of pink in the flowers, which taught me that something could be done in this direction ; and later I have seen in cultivation in pleasure-grounds seedlings from the common Primrose, showing a tendency to break into such tints of colour I so ardently desired to see produced. I tried seed from some of these, but the results were not so assuring as I could have desired. A few years ago I came into possession of a so-called species of Primrose, known as Primula altaica, having all the characteristics of the common Primrose, but bearing large pale mauve flowers. I have reason to believe this is not a true species, but simply the old common single lilac Primrose of our gardens, but where it originated I could never discover. Almost at the same time I found in an old garden, on the south- west coast of England, a remarkable common single Primrose, having rich bright maroon crimson flowers of fine form, and a dark golden centre. All my efforts to trace the origin of this also completely failed. I brought it home to London, propagated it, and event- ually distributed it under the name of Primula vulgaris auriculeeflora, because the flowers represented a gor- geous alpine Auricula. In this splendid variety I found the very thing to yield high-coloured Primroses, but while I despaired of getting anything better in its own way, I thought I might perhaps get mauve, violet, and purple tints which would prove very acceptable. With this view, I crossed P. altaica with P. auricule- flora, and vice versd, and got several fine seedlings having intermediate tints; and especially, as I had so ardently desired, in the way of purple and violet hues. Some of the seedlings were of a pale colour approaching lavender ; others had rosy tints; and by crossing these in various directions I at last got a THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. progeny yielding, to my great surprise and delight, pure white and yellow flowers. Let me here state that the form of P. altaicain my possession bears pin-eyed flowers—i.e., with the pistil rising prominently in the tube; while P. auriculeflora has a thrum eye—+.e., the tube nearly filled up with the six anthers, and the pistil down out of sight. Only a few of the seedlings were thrum-eyed, a large number pin-eyed. Now I set out with the determination to have in all my seed- lings selected for distribution flowers answering to the properties required by the laws of floriculture, and however beautiful the flowers having pin-eyes were, they were discarded except for breeding purposes. I cannot do better than give a list of new varieties of seedling Primroses I have put into circulation, with their description:—New single Primroses (Primula vulgaris) — Crimson Banner, very deep maroon erimson, the darkest of all; rich golden centre, very fine and free, and first-class quality. Gem of Roses, pale rosy magenta, with golden centre, slightly blotched with orange; very pretty and striking. Lilacina, pale lilac with yellow centre; exceedingly pretty and attractive. Queen of Violets, clear pucy violet, with striking golden eye; very fine and pleasing. Rosy Morn, a very fine hue of rosy crimson flushed with magenta, orange centre, very striking. Sulphurata, clear sulphur, with orange centre ; flowers large, perfectly circular; bold and fine. Sunrise, fiery red maroon, with very showy deep golden centre; very fine. Violacea, bright rosy violet with golden centre, large, very free, and exceedingly fine. First-class Certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society. Primula vulgaris auriculeeflora, a splendid rich maroon crimson Primrose with a showy orange eye ; very free, very early, and continues in bloom; a perfect gem for the spring and for pot culture; First- class Certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society. New Hybrid Primroses: these produce flowers both on a single stem, and also on foot-stalks, which give them a very handsome pyramidal appearance; they are — remarkably prolific in bloom, and will prove of great value in the spring garden—Mauve Queen, rosy mauve, a very pleasing tint of colour, and bright orange centre; very pretty, and remarkably free. Splendour, very large and finely-formed rosy crimson flowers, centre golden yellow; a very striking variety of bold character, very profuse of bloom; First-class Certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society. Queen of Yellows, yellow, with deep orange centre, very profuse of bloom, and very early; forms a splendid mass of colour; extra fine for bedding or pot culture. All the foregoing have given great satis- faction to those who have tried them; and the great demand for these new forms exceeds the supply, as they cannot be rapidly cultivated. All these new forms being of hardy constitution they can be culti- vated if not with rapidity, yet with the greatest ease, and I grow them all in the open air during summer, lifting the plants in October, dividing them and plant- ing them out in cold frames during the winter for the sake of getting at them readily for the execution of orders. I particularly recommend them for the rock garden and the choice border, where they can be care- fully tended, and be allowed to establish themselves. They can also be cultivated in pots for blooming in a cold greenhouse or conservatory during autumn and spring, as well-established plants in pots will throw up flowers in autumn from the growth of the previous summer, and again in spring, from the growth that takes place in February and March. The plants flowered in pots should be re-potted soon after they have done blooming, using a soil made up of fibry yellow loam and leaf mould in equal parts, and some charcoal broken to the size of split peas; at the time of re-potting any rooted side shoots should be taken off in order to obtain an increase of any variety. When re-potting the long tap-root should be cut away to within an inch or so of the leaves, and then plant deeply and firmly in the soil, as, when the lowermost leaves decay in the order of nature, roots are given forth at the points where the leaves grew. This shows the importance of occasional top-dressing with rich soil. When re-potted, the pots should be plunged in a bed of coal-ashes, cocoa-nut fibre, &c., up to their rims, under a south or west wall, where they can have the sun for a few hours during the morning. Worms and slugs are apt to prove troublesome, and a little attention is required to guard against their ravages. The plants require to be kept moist during summer, and under such conditions they cannot but do well. I have several plants in pots that have been treated in their way, which are now throwing up their flowers, and are very attractive objects in my cool greenhouse. They want plenty of air on all favourable occasions, water to keep them fairly moist about the roots, and, if greenfly puts in an appearance, the insects are whisked away into space by means of a camel’s hair brush. If by writing these few lines I shall succeed in awakening some interest in the Primrose and its varieties, then shall I be abundantly rewarded for the slight labour involved in writing the foregoing remarks, Ricuarp Dean. Ealing, London, W. Puate 205. CAMELLIA—MARCHIONESS OF LORNE. Tue very fine new variety of Camellia here illustrated was recently selected for figuring from the rich collection grown by Mr. B. S. Williams at Upper Holloway. Camellias require great care at the blooming season, or they are apt to let drop their buds. But this is not an insurmountable difficulty of their culture, and it need not deter anyone from attempting their growth. Camellias grown in the ground under glass are the best, and this system has been strongly recommended as demanding less attention, being more safe, and the means of producing the finest blooms. Camellias are sometimes arranged in large cases, but the mode recommended is to place them in beds, with a background of shrubs, pots of Lycopodium, with rocks and basins, which are favourable for the plant, and bring out its beauty in a striking manner. The earth must be dug out to the depth of half a yard. At the bottom must be placed about four inches of white sand, and on this a layer of four inches of heather- roots slightly broken up. The mould must not be sifted, but left with small lumps in it, as already stated ; for if sifted or broken fine it decomposes immediately, and in about two years the plants will cease to flower, or, in many cases, it may be feared, even to grow. Prate 206. CYPRIPEDIUM SEDENI. We have aiready too long deferred illustrating the beautiful hybrid now figured, and which was raised some time since by Messrs. Veitch and Sons at their nursery at Chelsea. C. Sedeni is one of the finest coloured Cypripediums yet obtained, and is a cross between C. lengifolium and C. Schlimii. In habit it is precisely intermediate between the two, having the robust growth of the one, combined with the unusual and beautiful colour of the other. It has shining evergreen foliage, and its spikes, which bear several flowers each, continue a long time in bloom. Professor Reichenbach originally described this plant in the ‘ Gardener’s Chronicle ” for Qctober 25th, 1873, where the Professor describes the hybrid as being much like C. Schlimii, but with far stronger, broader, lighter leaves, and stouter, much longer peduncles, with more acuminate sheaths. The branches are as in C. Schlimii. The flower is more cemparable to that of the old northern Oriental C. macranthos. It would be like the flower of C. Schlimii if it were not more than twice as large, and of a different colour. Sepals outside, greenish purple; inside, greenish white, with purplish margins; petals whitish, with broad purple borders, and once twisted; lip of deep crimson purple, the reflexed borders whitish, with numerous purplish spots; the staminode whitish yellow, with two purplish spots.; This plant was raised by -cross fertilisation of the two species above named ; and it is decidedly stated by Mr. Seden, who obtained this as well as many other curious things, that the plant obtained by taking either of the species, as the mother was just the same in all parts, which is a highly interesting fact. The sheaths and bracts, and the twisted petals, the broader, stronger leaves, are the gift of C. longifolium; the other peculiarities and the colours chiefly belong to C. Schlimii, whose cream-white colours were changed to greenish yellowish white. There can be no doubt that the plant seen at the Royal Exotic Nursery, at Mr. Day’s, and elsewhere, is one of the best of the Cypripedia; “it is, therefore,” says Professor Reichenbach, “a great satisfaction to me to dedicate the plant to Mr. Seden, who has been so fortunate as to raise it, as before stated, at the Royal Exotic Nursery of Messrs. Veitch.” PLATE 207. CROTON DISRAELI. WE are indebted to Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of King’s Road, Chelsea, for the opportunity of figuring this new Croton, which possesses a new feature of great interest in the trilobate form of its leaves, the middle lobe being greatly elongated, with a broader expansion towards the extremity ; the two lateral ones comparatively short, of unequal size and length, and expanding from the mid-rib at about one-third of its length from the base. The colouring of the foliage is rich and varied ; shades and markings of scarlet, orange, and yellow are seen on . the same plant with the deep green ground of the mature foliage, and the bright light green of the younger leaves. It is a vigorous-growing variety, of compact habit, and well furnished with foliage. Mr. J. Douglas, in writing of this genus, says the staple potting material should be good turfy loam from an upland pasture. The turf should be cut thin, and stored for about three months before using ; one-third of the compost should be turfy peat, with a little silver sand added, and broken crocks mixed with the’ soil is found to be beneficial. Crotons require a considerable supply of water during the growing period, and a highly moist atmosphere ; whilst seventy degrees at night during the summer and autumn months is a suitable temperature. The pots must be well drained; not only is this of the first importance when the plants are re-potted, but some of the fibrous peat should be shaken free from soil and carefully placed over the drainage before putting in the compost. Small plants which have been potted in fine soil produce by far the largest proportion of active roots in the drainage. Crotons are very much a prey to insect pests. The plants must be kept clean, or the beauty of the foliage is sadly marred. Mealy bug is the worst to deal with, and if this gains a footing on C. angustifolium the plant had better be destroyed; but some of the large-leaved species may be cleansed by careful washing by hand with soapy water. Red spider is another formidable enemy if it is not observed in time. Syringing the plants daily with clear tepid rain-water will keep it in check ; and if this is done carefully from the first, the spider will either be destroyed or will not increase enough to do harm. Brown scale also fastens on the stems, and does mischief if it is not removed by hand- washing. PiLateE 208. ODONTOGLOSSUM TRIPUDIANS. WE are indebted to Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea, for the opportunity of figuring this handsome plant, which is not illustrated in Mr. Bateman’s monograph of Odontoglossum. Professor Reichenbach, in referring to this plant in the “ Gardener’s Chronicle” for July 22, 1871, describes it as a very nice Odontoglossum in the way of O. cristatum, but with a blunt lip. The sepals and petals are brown, with yellowish green edges, and dots few in number. The lip has a white basilar disc. The region around the calli is of a beautiful purplish violet, and there are some brown bars and blotches round the basilar part of it. The column is whitish, with purplish brown wings, and a similar limb to the anguli. The species was originally discovered by Von Warscewicz, in New Grenada. It was grown first in Mr. Linden’s establishment, then in Mr. Day’s collection at Tottenham, and afterwards by Messrs. Veitch and Sons. In the ‘Gardener’s Chronicle” for March 23, 1872, Professor Reichenbach describes a very handsome variety of this plant under the name of O. oculatum. ~ THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES. ] EXHIBITIONS. Ar the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, held on April the 5th last, a first-class certificate was awarded to Mr. Henley, gardener to Spencer Brunton, Esq., of Beckenham, for Odontoglossum cirrhosum, a most interesting plant, which will probably become as popular as O. Alexandre. It is as free growing and as free flowering as that species, the plant exhibited having three spikes, one of which, in full bloom, had twelve flowers on it. The flowers are white, beauti- fully blotched with dark brown, with the labellum in the form of a fringed crest, striped with brown at the sides and lemon-yellow in the centre. A large number of these plants were imported from Ecuador last year by Mr. Bull, and the one shown, which is perhaps the largest single plant in the country, was purchased at one of Stephens’s sales last autumn. First-class certifi- cates were also awarded to Mr. Charles Noble, for Clematis ‘‘ President,” a seedling of the patens type, with large dark-bluish plum-coloured flowers, an early flowering plant, that must become useful; to Messrs. Veitch and Sons, for Adiantum digitatum, a very handsome deciduous species from Peru; and for Rhododendron ‘Princess of Wales,” a hybrid between P. Royal and R. Lobbi, a fine bright salmon-red, white-tubed flower, and very showy. At the meeting of the same society, held on April 19th, a first-class certificate was awarded to Messrs. W. Pauland Son for a new Zonal Pelargonium, raised by F. Miles, Esq., and named Vanessa, the blooms cerise or pale salmon-red in colour, with a faint shade of purple round the eye, the pips large and of good form, and the truss fine in size. A first-class certificate was also awarded to Messrs. James Veitch and Sons for Croton Macfeeanus, one of the largest-leaved and strongest growing sorts yet introduced ; the leaves are about a foot long and four inches broad, with a bright green ground colour, and large blotches of yellow, the young stems being also of the latter colour. Also for Phyllanthus roseus pictus, a very prettily varie- gated plant, resembling P. nivosus in habit, and which, like the Croton, comes from the South Sea Islands. BF, Whitbourn, Esq. (gr., Mr. Douglas), received a similar award for Auricula Alexander Meiklejohn, a show variety, and one of the finest of the grey-edged section; the ground colour is nearly black, and the paste dense white, a very fine variety. It was first in the single grey-edged class at Manchester last year. MAY, 1876. [No. 53. SS GRIFFINIA ORNATA. THE accompanying engraving illustrates an indivi- dual bloom from an umbel of twenty or twenty-four flowers from this new plant, recently imported by Mr. Bull from the district of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. This fine new winter-blooming stove bulb, writes Mr. Moore, in the ‘“ Gardeners’ Chronicle,” bears a prima facie general resemblance to Griffinia dryades, as figured in the “ Botanical Magazine” (t. 5786), especially as regards its inflorescence; but the two plants differ very materially when a closer comparison is made. G. dryades has flattish, broad, ovate leaves, with the blade 18-20 nerved on each side the mid-rib ; and the surface marked out into distinctly square- meshed, coarse, prominent reticulations, showing the course of the raised longitudinal and transverse veins. In G. ornata, on the other hand, the leaves are narrower and more oblong in outline, and so strongly recurved along the margin that a cross section would almost describe a semi-circle, while the nerves are only about twelve on each side the mid-rib, with close- set parallel cross-nerves, which are sunk in the substance of the leaves, and are scarcely visible on the surface as transverse strice. The plane inner surface of the blunt-edged petiole of G. dryades, which extends through the blade of the leaf as a flat, scarcely depressed mid-rib below, becoming prominent near the apex, 1s, moreover, quite different from the deeply- THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. channelled and winged petiole of G. ornata, in which species the channel of the petiole is continued as a depressed rib through the blade of the leaf, and the decurrent leaf margin is carried downwards as a narrower wing to the base of the petiole. The flowers, moreover, are paler, less expanded, and much more numerous. From the older species of this interesting genus, G. ornata is utterly different. G. hyacinthina differs totally in the form and colour of its nine to ten sessile flowers. G. parviflora, which resembles it somewhat in the pale lilac hue of its flowers, differs in having the flowers two-thirds of an inch long, while in G. ornata they are at least two and a half inches long. G. Blumenavia differs in having white flowers; and G. Liboniana in having spotted leaves. The bulbs in this new acquisition are ovate, and from three to four inches in diameter, with a thick upright neck two to four inches long. The leaves are usually about six to eight in number, and form an arching tuft, spreading in all directions; they are elliptic oblong, six to ten inches in length, the edges and acute apex recurved, and the base tapered into a narrow wing, which extends down the petiole; they are of a deep green colour, the costa very prominent, and rounded beneath. The scape is one to one and a half foot high, many flowered (about eighteen to twenty-four), the flowers pedicellate, on stalks nearly two inches long; spathe membranaceous, narcescent, with two broad opposite ovate-oblong valves as long as the pedicels, and a pair of intermediate lanceolate ones, a few small subulate bracts being also developed amongst the flower-stalks. The plants frequently develope two flower-scapes at one time. The flowers, which when in perfection stand horizontally, form a spreading head, eight to nine inches broad ; they are of a delicate purplish lilac, fading off to nearly white, and remaining for a considerable time in full beauty. The perianth is narrowly and obliquely funnel-shaped; the tube declined, very short; the limb six-parted, nearly equal, not divaricate, the lower segment nearly straight, the rest recurved towards the apex, three inches long, linear lanceolate, about four lines wide, the three upper ones plane, the three lower wavy at the margin, the lowest shorter than the rest, all 2-3 nerved on each side the costa, which is prominent on the outer surface, producing a slightly keeled appearance. There are six stamens, five of which are declinate, and the dorsal one erect, appressed to the dorsal segment; the three sepaline stamens half an inch, the three petaline more than an inch shorter than the perianth; filaments, filiform ; anthers, two-celled, linear-oblong, versatile; ovary, three-celled, with two erect obovate ovules in each cell; style, about equalling the perianth; stigma, simple. CROSSED AURICULAS. A most extraordinary break of seedling Auriculas was exhibited at the recent National Auricular Show at Manchester, says the ‘Gardeners’ Chronicle,” which served to throw some light on the cross-breeding, in order to secure definite results. They represented a progeny obtained by the Rev. F. D. Horner, who crossed a fine grey-edged variety, named Charles Brown, with the pollen of another fine flower in the same section, named George Levick. A number of yellow-flowered seedlings was thereby obtained, some quite self-coloured, among them one which appears likely to take a high place in the estimation of florists ; and others having the ground or body colour of yellow edged with pale green. They are very pretty, and might be made to give us a section of fancy Auriculas. Whoever takes them in hand should completely isolate them from any fine-edged varieties, if the latter are to be used for seed purposes. CATALOGUES RECEIVED. E. G. Henprerson anv Son.—Catalogue of Flower, Vegetable, and Agricultural Seeds. Ilustrated. Vicx’s (Rochester, New York) Floral Guide. Ewine anp Co. (Eaton, near Norwich).—List of New Roses, Clematis, &c. Joun Morsz (Dursley, Gloucestershire).—Catalogue of Cuttings. PLATE 209. RHODODEN DRON—*“ PRINCE LEOPOLD.” In previous volumes we have figured many of the fine varieties of hybrid Rhododendra which have been sent out from the firm of Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of King’s Road, Chelsea. The present subject is a portrait of one of the most recent Chelsea hybrids, the famous parents being R. Lobbi and R. Princess Royal, the last-named plant being itself a cross between the white R. jasminiflorum and the orange-scarlet R. javanicum. A first-class certificate was awarded to this plant on August 4th last. Should R. Prince Leopold partake of the habit of R. Princess Royal we may expect flowers from the plant all the year round. The latter may be seen in flower in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, one truss being fully expanded when another is in bud, a third just forming, and so on. Peat and silver sand form the best compost for these plants, and they should not be shifted too frequently. Pirate 210. HYACINTH—="SULTAN.” Amonest the many fine new hyacinths exhibited by Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea, during the last few years, no plant has equalled in beauty of colour and form the spike we now figure. There is no better time for potting hyacinths intended for spring displays, says Mr. Dean, than November. Generally these plants are too early potted, before the bulbs have recovered from the effects of the long close confinement during the transit from Holland to this country, and ere they have become thoroughly matured. That is why it is that hyacinths should be laid on a shelf in a greenhouse until the embryo roots swell out in a kind of circlet round the base of the bulbs; and then, that stage reached, as soon as they come in contact with the soil, they at once send forth stout roots and make strong growth. Sometimes early-potted hyacinths rot owing to their being placed in contact with the soil too soon after being imported ; and, after all, nothing is actually gained by such early potting, except in cases where it is intended the bulbs shall be forced. Some of the exhibitors at our large hyacinth shows pot them about the middle of October, and onwards; but the greater part of show hyacinths are placed in their pots in November. The necessity, however, should be impressed upon cultivators of obtaining their bulbs early from the dealers ; not only because the finest bulbs are invariably selected for the earliest orders, but also because they can be better looked after preparatory to potting. Hyacinths should be placed singly in 32-sized pots, writes Mr. R. Dean, using a little drainage, and placing next what is used for the purpose a layer of rotten dung. Some leaf-mould, yellow fibry loam, and spent manure (that can be readily crumbled in the hand) should be mixed in equal proportions, _ with a little white sand to keep it open, and in such a compost hyacinths cannot fail to grow finely. Puate 211. AMARYLLIS—“ THALIA.” Amarviiis ‘ THatta” is confessedly one of the very finest Amaryllids yet raised. It was — exhibited at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, on the 15th March last, and was of necessity awarded a first-class certificate. Messrs. Veitch and Sons received their A. Leopoldi and A. pardinum through their late collector, Mr. Pearce. These two varieties have been used, says a recent writer, to hybridise some of the finest species and varieties now in cultivation ; and the one which has produced the best results is the brilliant-coloured dark-crimson variety, A. Ackermannii pulcherrima. As to the culture of these plants, a compost of good turfy medium loam, mixed with well-decayed stable manure and a little sand, is the best. Six-inch pots are sufficient for the largest bulbs, and the best time to pot is when the bulbs are at rest. After carefully draining the pots place some very rough fibrous loam over the drainage, then fill the pot with the compost. The bulb should not be planted deeply ; quite two-thirds of it should be above the surface, and the mould should be pressed in quite firmly. The bulbs should be started in a temperature of 55 degrees, increasing it (if the flowers are required early) to 65 degrees at night after the flowers show. Some growers recommend that the pots be plunged in bottom-heat at the time they are started into growth. The atmosphere of the house should be kept moderately moist. The flowers sometimes show before the leaves ; sometimes flowers and leaves come up at the same time, and not unfrequently the leaves make considerable progress before the flowers throw up. Like most bulbous plants the Amaryllis comes to its full development very rapidly. Two to four flowers are the usual number on the stalk, and when the first that opens is about fully developed the plant will keep in beauty for a week or ten days. Of course if they have been in a night temperature of 65 degrees, it will not be good management to expose them all at once to the free air of a greenhouse or conservatory ; draughts of air certainly injure the flowers. Pate 212. DENDROBIUM WARDIANUM LOWII. WE are indebted to Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of the Royal Exotic Nursery, King’s Road, Chelsea, for the opportunity of figuring a specimen of the extraordinary thick-stemmed variety of Dendrobium Wardianum, which was sold at Stephens’s last spring. One specimen had eighty flowers in nine growths, and two-thirds of the flowers were in good condition at the same time. A writer in the “ Gardeners’ Chronicle” states that his plant was grown on a heavy block of charred teak, three feet long, and that the roots extended over nearly the whole surface of the block. About an inch of sphagnum had been kept on the block, and changed as soon as it became sour, without disturbing the roots which were firmly attached to the block. Some of the growths reached a length of eighteen inches. W.G.Smith, PLS. del et Lith, RHODODENDRON Prince Leovold V FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SER! L.Reeve &Co.5 Henmetta St. Covent Garden mp Brooks Day & Son] WW V W.C.Smith,FLS.del et lith, a Pe) NEW SERIE ZINE 7 < FLORAL MAGA | AMARY ] Apia ce : W.G.Smith, FLS.del et ith. AMARYLILIGS Thalia. Varese oon tee FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES L.Reeve &Co.5 Henrietta St.Covent Garden Ae V.Broolts, Day &5S onJmp Smith F.LS. del et ith. 4 M W.C FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES DL Reeve &Co.5 Henrietta St. Covent Garden THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES.] JUNE, 1876. [No. d+. FLORAL EXHIBITIONS, Amone the attractions at the exhibition of the Royal Botanical Society held on April 25th were some very remarkable specimens of Mignonette from Messrs. Carter and Co. Some of the larger specimens were fully six feet in height, and formed perfect cones about four feet in diameter at the base; this extra- ordinary state of floral vigour being partly due to superior culture, but in a still greater degree to the careful selection of seed from robust and floriferous varieties. Messrs. Jackman and Son, of Woking, exhibited a charming group of their new seedling varieties of Clematis, and among these we noted one named Countess of Lovelace as being very distinct and beautiful; the blooms are very large and perfectly double, the colour being a delicately soft and pleasing lilac-purple. A lovely white variety named Vesta calls for special notice, the flowers being nearly perfect in form and of a rich satin-like lustre. Sir Garnet Wolseley is also a distinct new kind, the young blooms being of a rich claret colour, while the older flowers fade to blue with a claret-coloured stripe down the centre of each petal. Among the delicate lilac-tinted varieties none pleases us so well as Lady Londesborough, which is a vigorous-habited and most floriferous variety. Messrs. Paul and Son, of the old nurseries, Cheshunt, obtained a first-class certificate for their new seedling Rose, Duke of Connaught, which we now figure and describe for the first time ; and Mr. Charles Turner, of Slough, sent a very hand- some Auricula, named Mrs. Purvis, which also obtained a first-class certificate. It belongs to the grey-edged class, the paste is very dense and pure, the body- colour being a rich velvet-like purple which feathers off very regularly into the pure grey margin. Being nearly perfect in form and truss, this variety is likely to be a favourite with growers and exhibitors of these lovely and old-fashioned flowers. Among the subjects which obtained first-class certi- ficates at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on May 8rd, we noted Clematis Proteus, a double rosy variety sent by Mr. C. Noble. Primula cortusoides amoena laciniata, from Mr. R. Dean, which has large cut-petalled flowers of the richest magenta colour. Messrs. Osborn and Son sent their new cut- leaved variety of “Golden Feather” (Pyrethrum aureum laciniatum) to which, a certificate was voted on account of its value as a plant for edgings and carpet beds. A very distinct and effective variety of Pelar- gonium grandiflorum, named Queen of Stripes, came from Mr. Rawson, of Bromley. It is a dwarf, compact, and floriferous variety, bearing bright rosy flowers, each petal being striped with vermilion scarlet as in some varieties of Picotees. As a decorative greenhouse plant, it is likely to be extensively culti- vated. Mr. C. Turner obtained certificates for two new Auriculas, one being a large-leaved, green-edged variety named Gertrude Knight (Turner), which has a deep purple body-colour and very pure paste, and the other a very dark crimson alpine variety named Chas. Lidgard (Turner), the flowers of which are very brilliant .and borne in a compact truss well-elevated above the bright green foliage. The chief attraction at the Royal Horticultural Society’s meeting on the 17th inst. was a very large and beautiful group of hybrid and other Orchids from Messrs. James Veitch and Sons, of the Royal Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, and to which the Davis Medal was unanimously awarded; while a noble plant of the purple-speckled Odontoglossum neevium was con- sidered worthy of the gold Banksian Medal. It was in the most vigorous condition, and bore twenty-seven very fine spikes of flowers. Among the hybrids shown in this group we noted Cypripedium silligerum (C. barbato-levigatum) and C. Domini- anum (C. Pearcei-caudatum), both robust, free- flowering, and desirable plants. The same exhibitors also had several fresh and healthy plants of the beau- tiful new Boronia elatior, which also received a certificate as a floriferous and graceful decorative plant, a distinction it well deserved. Sir Trevor Lawrence sent a very vigorous plant of Masdevallia Harryana, bearing twelve large magenta-coloured flowers, the extremities of the sepals being shaded with bright carmine; also, a very distinet variety of Aérides (Larpente) faleatum, which has buff-coloured sepals and petals, and a bright lilac-purple three-lobed lip. This is called Aérides Mendelii, and obtained a first-class certificate. Messrs. E. G. Henderson and Sons sent a large batch of their new hybrid varieties of Mimulus (M. cuprea-maculatus), some of which were very distinct and beautiful, the blooms being fully two inches in diameter and very boldly blotched with crimson or maroon on a yellow-tinted ground colour. One great merit in this strain is that seedling plants bloom freely in very small pots, and when only two or three inches in height. Mr. Chas. Noble, of Ascot, sent a very robust and beautiful dark blue variety of the well-known C. lanuginosa, to which a first-class THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. certificate was awarded. It has large six-rayed flowers of good substance, and is very floriferous, as the small specimen exhibited showed numerous plump downy buds. It will form a lovely companion to the lighter- coloured forms of the type, as one of the most beautiful of all hardy varieties. ODONTOGLOSSUM VEXILLARIUM. Tuts is undoubtedly the most floriferous species in the genus to which it belongs, just as it is one of the most lovely in colour ; and like most other Orchids it has the additional charm of variety, scarcely two individual plants bearing flowers exactly alike in either colour or shape. Messrs. Veitch and Sons have now several fine forms in flower, one of which is so soft and chaste in colouring that it fairly rivals all the others in delicate beauty. One of Messrs. Veitch’s specimens —a very vigorous one—bears ten strong flower-spikes, and Mr. David Thomson, of Drumlanrig, writes to tell us he has a plant which has produced sixteen fine flowers from a single bulb. This noble species having recently been imported in quantity and in fine condition, we may soon hope to see it in every collec- tion of Orchids from the New World. SAXIFRAGA PELTATA. We have recently seen this large growing and com- paratively newly introduced species blooming in Mr. W. Bull’s nursery at Chelsea, its pale rosy-lilac flowers being borne in compact cymose clusters at the apex of a fleshy scape, which varies from a foot to eighteen inches in height. The peltate leaves are produced after the flowers, and are nearly circular in outline, regularly lobed and serrate around the margins, and of a bright green colour. Both leaves and flower- stems are produced from thick creeping rhizomes. The plant is a native of California, and one of the most noble of ali the species, being found on the margins of mountain streams, where its foliage attains a large size. Itis perfectly hardy, and is likely to be very useful for decorative purposes, the best positions for it being the spongy margin of the bog garden or by the side of ornamental water, positions in which its noble foliage may be seen to the best advantage. The plant is figured in the “ Botanical Magazine,” tab. 6074, from which we learn that it was originally discovered by Hartweg, in the Sacramenta mountains, and living plants appear to have been first introduced to European gardens by M. Benedict Roezl in 1872. REVIEW. Botanical Names fer English Readers. By Ranpdat H. Atcocx. lL. Reeve and Co. Tus will be a very useful book to beginners and amateurs, especially to those who have not had the advantage of a classical education, to whom botanical nomenclature, though full of meaning to the initiated, is an unknown tongue, and consequently a great stumbling-block. ‘It is much easier,” says the author, “to remember names when they convey some meaning than when they are not understood, and the more information they convey the less liable are they to be forgotten.” He has therefore attempted in this work to “‘ explain the scientific names of British plants in a popular manner, so as to be useful to those who have no knowledge of any foreign language.” He has also added as far as practicable the earliest au- thority for each name, and as this necessitated some account of the authorities themselves, he has devoted the first part of his book to a “ History of Botany from the Earliest Times,” so far as it has relation to botanical names. . This historical portion occupies the first ninety-seven pages, and is not without interest. The second portion contains a list in alphabetical order of the substantive or generic names of British plants, with their derivation and meaning. The third portion consists of a similar list of adjective or specific names. But we apprehend that the difficulties experienced by young botanists arise not so much from the names given to plants as from the terms employed in de- scribing and classifying them. ‘These, though, from their conciseness and precision, extremely convenient to those who know their derivation and meaning, are a source of great perplexity to the uninitiated. If these had been included in the present volume, as they might have been, by greater economy of space, without in- creasing its bulk, its value as a book of reference would have been greatly enhanced. However, gar- deners and others interested in flowers will be glad to learn that—to cull a few familiar examples at random —Belladonna means beautiful lady; Chrysanthemum, golden-flowered; Cypripedium, Venus’ or lady’s slipper; Jris, the rainbow; Lycopodium, wolf’s foot ; Ophioglossum, serpent’s or adder’s tongue; Polypo- dium, many-footed; and so on. A Tass CATALOGUES RECEIVED. E. G. Henprerson anp Son.—Spring Catalogue of Stove, Conservatory, Herbaceous, Alpine, Bedding, and New Plants of the Year. Dick, Rapcrirre, anp Co. (High Holborn). Catalogue for 1876. Plant Puate 213. PHALAINOPSIS VEITCHII. Tus charming plant is the rarest of all the Phalenopsids, only a solitary individual being in cultivation, namely, that in the collection of Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea, to whose courtesy we are indebted for the opportunity of making the drawing from which our plate has been prepared. The plant is supposed to be a natural hybrid between P. rosea of gardens (P. equestris, Rchb. f.) and P. Schilleriana. The leaves are like those of P. amabilis, with faint traces of the markings which characterise P. Schilleriana, and the roots are round and smooth, not flattened and rugose as in the last-named species. The sepals and petals are nearly those of P. rosea in shape, but much larger, and the lip is quite unique in its way, its apex being terminated by two peculiar straight, sharp-edged teeth, as shown in our plate, which is the first hitherto published of this rare and beautiful plant. It succeeds tolerably well in the Veitchian collection, planted in a shallow teak-wood basket, and, like all other Phalenopsids, it flourishes best when suspended in a good diffused light near the glass. Were it more plentiful it would indeed be a choice addition to all good collections. Pirate 214. HIBISCUS COLLERII. Amone the tropical varieties of Hibiscus there are many of the most gorgeous beauty, but we know of none more pleasing than that we now figure. The large, soft, buff, crimson- streaked flowers hang gracefully beneath the freshest of glossy foliage; and, as the plant grows and blooms freely in an ordinary plant-stove, it well deserves culture as a distinct and useful decorative plant. The form of the flower is rather peculiar, the crowded petals being arranged along a central axis three to four inches in length. Here, as in many other double flowers, the duplication is owing to the stamens having become petaloid, and as the stamens of most Malvads are arranged on a long central style, it follows that when they become changed into petals—as in this case—they still keep to the normal form of arrangement. The plant was introduced from the South Sea Islands by Mr. W. Bull, of Chelsea, in whose collection our drawing was made early in April last. One of the chief merits of this variety is its novel colour, and it also has the desirable habit of blooming in a young state, and, the flowers being produced in gradual succession from the axils of the leaves, the plant, if well grown, lasts a long time in beauty. PLATE 215. AURICULA—* ALEXANDER MEIKLEJOHN” (KAY). Tuts is quite a new flower, having been introduced to the public in 1874, through Mr. Meiklejohn, of The Raploch, Stirling, and when at its best it is quite unsurpassed as a grey- edged variety. It won the premium in its class at Manchester in 1875, and was also awarded the prize given for the best Auricula in the show, beating Geo. Lightbody, Geo. Levick, Chas. E. Brown, and all the old-established sorts. It was raised by the late Mr. Kay, of Shipshaugh, near Stirling, a most exemplary man, and an ardent florist. Besides Auriculas, he grew, in a quiet way, Pinks, Polyanthuses, and Pansies ; he took many prizes for Auriculas and Pinks, and up till his death, which occurred about twelve years ago, he still had the same passion for flowers. Topsy, a fine dark-purple self, was also raised by him, but he did not know the parentage of either. The Rey. F. D. Horner, who is well known as a most zealous amateur florist, gives the following description of this choice variety in the ‘* Journal of Horticulture” :—‘‘It is indeed a gem, something like George Lightbody and Conqueror of Europe combined in one grand flower. There is the dash and nearly the size of Conqueror without its coarseness, and the fine form and substance of Geo. Lightbody without its frequent want of life in the body-colour, and decision on the broad edge. Plant takes after Conqueror—healthy, but not large; foliage long, narrow, thick, much veined and serrated.” Our illustration was made from a plant grown by Mr. J. Douglas, and to which a first- class certificate was awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society on April 5th of the present year, and we are also indebted to Mr. Douglas for the above notes on this distinct and effective show variety. PLatE 216. HYBRID PERPETUAL ROSE—“ DUKE OF CONNAUGHT.” Tue beautiful new Rose of which the accompanying is an illustration is an English seedling, raised in the almost classical old nurseries at Cheshunt, and exhibited last summer for the first time, when it received much attention from Rosarians on account of its full form and brilant colour. It is a seedling from Madame Victor Verdier, and somewhat resembles that well-known variety in foliage and general habit; its colour, however, is the nearest approach to scarlet of any variety yet raised. This season its raisers, Messrs. Paul and Son, have exhibited plants in flower, and also cut blooms, both at the Regent’s Park and South Kensington Exhibitions, and on both occasions it was deservedly awarded a first-class certificate as a most desirable new Rose. It is very gratifying to find that Messrs. Paul and Son have been most successful in raising new Roses in their grounds at Cheshunt; and among others which have been selected from their seed-beds and added to the lists of standard varieties, we may mention Duke of Edinburgh, raised in 1865, of which some thousands were distributed in 1868. During the hot summer of 1870 the last-named variety ripened its seed freely, and from several large beds of it, sown in the spring of 1871, have been selected Reynolds Hole, Sultan of Zanzibar, Dr. Hooker, and several others, all excellent dark varieties of robust habit. al3 A, 7 FW Burbidge, delet hi +} UL =i DAT MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES [ Fae airy Gb d J ey tlenrietta of. Covent warder ds ~ y : : ? 1 a - : fp » < \ : a - Be ne ol THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES.] JUIN, 1876. [No. 58. FLORAL EXHIBITIONS. Tne May Exhibition of the Royal Botanic Society, Regent’s Park, was, despite the showery weather, a most enjoyable one, the plants being arranged very tastefully on banks of cool green turf, beneath well- ventilated canvas—the best of all arrangements for a floral exhibition. Taken as a whole, the show was by no means the best we have seen there, this being in a great measure due to the sameness in the plants exhibited, for not even the most tasteful method of arrangement can make amends for the charm of variety. Among new plants recently exhibited the hybrid greenhouse Rhododendrons of the R. javanico- jasminiflorum type deserve especial notice for their charming variations in colour and general adaptability for greenhouse or conservatory decoration. The colours vary from the most vivid crimson-scarlet, as exemplified in R. “ Duchess of Edinburgh,” through all the shades of rose, orange, and orange-yellow, to white as pure as that of R. jasminiflorum; and itis singular to notice that while in some cases the colours have blended, in others the yellow element has disappeared almost entirely. This is the case in all the rose-coloured forms which have been produced by crossing the white Rh. jasminiflorum with the orange-coloured R. javani- cum or R. Brookei and its varieties. The lovely hybrid Begonia Weltoniensis of Col. Trevor Clarke is another instance of a pink-flowered plant being pro- duced from orange and white parents while, in the ease of Pelargoniums, pinks or salmon-tinted varieties are the result of crossing orange-scarlet and white kinds. In addition to the above Messrs. Veitch and Sons have exhibited the very beautiful Hzemanthus cinabarinus, which ‘fairly rivals the old H. coccineus in beauty. The leaves are lance-shaped and nearly eighteen inches in length, the vermilion-coloured flowers being borne in a dense globose head four or five inches in diameter. It is a Cape bulb, and one can scarcely imagine a more brilliant companion for the pearly Eucharis than this plant, and as it grows and blooms freely it ought to be largely grown for decorative purposes. Mr. W. Bull has been singularly fortunate this season, taking first prizes in all cases for new plants. Among those shown at the Aquarium exhibition on the 30th ult. we noted Martinezia Roezli, which has fresh olive-green bilobed leaves borne on short spinose petioles; Bomaria Carderi, a scandent Amaryllid, having pink Lapageria-like flowers; several new Cycads; alight rosy Dipladenia, named D. Regina ; and the very stately Aralia splendidissima, which has dark green glossy pinnate leaves a yard in in length. Mr. Williams had Croton Williamsii, one of the most distinct of all modern varieties, having greenish-silvery blotched foliage; Astro- caryum murmureum, a beautiful glossy-leaved Palm, having bilobed leaves, silvery beneath the petioles, being armed with stout brown spines. The large white-flowered Cattleya Bluntii of Messrs. Low and Co. deserves notice as being one of the best white Orchids in cultivation, bearing flowers as large as those of C. gigas, but pure white in colour, save a delicate stain of lemon-yellow on the disc of the lip. It will make a charming companion to the bright carmine or delicate rosy forms of O. Mossix, C. labiata, or C. Warneri, being far superior to the old white variety known as C. Warscewiczi delicata. The Royal Horticultural Society’s first summer show, held on June the 7th and &th, was avery attractive one, and among the new plants exhibited we noted a new large-flowered variety of the common Musk-plant (Mimulus moschatus), sent by Messrs. Harrison and Sons, of Leicester, and which is said to be a hybrid between the common Musk and the large-flowered Mimulus maculatus. Its fragrance and profusion of large yellow flowers will make it a useful decorative plant. Mr. George, of Putney Heath, obtained a certifi- cate for his hybrid ivy-leafed Pelargonium Gem, a cross between the ivy-leafed Pelargonium and some variety of P.zonale. It may be described as a shrubby ivy-leafed variety, with large trusses of well-formed flowers, the colour being a delicate silvery-lilac, the top petals having a rosy spot. Another variety, with cerise flowers, named “ Progress,” was also shown, and both well deserve culture, as showy pot-plants for decorative purposes. A large pan of the great spotted Ivis came from Messrs. Veitch and Sons, some of the flowers being seven inches in diameter, and these great brown spotted flowers were much admired, as also weve the plants of the white-spired Saxifraga pyramidalis, sent by Messrs. Jackson and Son, of Kingston. The second summer exhibition, held at Regent's Park on the 21st inst., was perhaps the most successful flower-show of the season, and about 10,000 visitors were admitted tothe gardens during the day. Messrs. Veitch and Sons sent a beautiful group of new and rare exotics, among which we noted a very distinct yellow- flowered variety of the old Oncidium crispum. ‘This was named Oncidium crispum flavum, and may ba THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. considered as the intermediate link between the last- named species and the brighter yellow O. Marshalli- anum. Mr. Bull also sent a choice collection of new decorative plants, including Hibiscus Collerii (figured by us in the June number of this magazine), and a very showy new Ixora, named I. Regina, which has stout glossy leaves and large heads of orange flowers. It promises to become one of the most popular of all the kinds for exhibition. Mr. J. Laing, of Stanstead Park Nurseries, Forest Hill, sent ‘a distinct and robust- habited hybrid Fuchsia, raised from the seed of the old tuberous-rooted I. fulgens, which had been fertilised by pollen from one of the more modern varieties. The plant is bushy in habit, branching at every joint, and its large, bright-red, long-tubed flowers are freely pro- duced ; apart from its nature asa floriferous decorative variety of good habit, it will prove an excellent plant from which to raise other and improved kinds. One of the most noticeable features in this exhibition was the Orchids, an excellent collection having been sent from Lord Londesborough’s collection ; and Mr. B. 8. Williams also had a well-flowered group. EMBOTHRIUM COCCINEUM. Tus is certainly one of the most beautiful of all hardy shrubs, cut branches of which in bloom were recently exhibited by Mrs. Lloyd Wynne at South Kensington. It is a South American Proteaceous plant, and is successfully grown in Devon and Cornwall, as well as in the more sheltered parts of Ireland, its brilliant tufts of slender scarlet flowers being borne among its glossy Honeysuckle-like leaves in April and May; and when it is associated with the pearly white-flowered Spiraea (Exochorda) grandiflora, its vivid beauty is much enhanced. We know of no shrub more worthy of careful culture in good gardens; and even in cold or exposed localities where it may not be expected to succeed in the open air, it is worth a place planted out in a cool greenhouse or conservatory. A Camellia- house, where it would be protected from frost, would suit it admirably, and its blossoms would look fresher there than when more exposed to the elements. Some difficulties in its propagation may account for its rarity in even our best gardens; but the most successful way of increasing it is to graft pieces of the younger branches on thick bits of its own roots, choosing clean pieces well furnished with fibres at the lower extremity. ODONTOGLOSSUM VEXILLARIUM. In the June number of the Froran Macazine some allusion was made as to the extremely free blooming habit of this plant. At the first Summer Exhibition of the Royal Horticultural Society, held on the 7th ult., Mr. Richards, gardener to Baron Rothschild, of Gunnersbury, exhibited two of the healthiest and most floriferous specimens of this plant hitherto seen. One of these, a pale variety of great beauty, bore forty- two flowers, and the other, a bright rosy form, pro- duced thirty-six larger flowers on four stout and hand- some spikes, all of which had sprung from the base of a single bulb. The extremely vigorous condition of these specimens, after having produced nearly their own weight of flowers, was very noticeable, and called forth the admiration of many professional plant-growers ; indeed this plant had never created more interest among Orchid-growers, if we except the memorable occasion when Messrs. Veitch and Son (to whom is due the honour of first introducing this gorgeous plant to our gardens), exhibited it in bloom in the same place two or three years ago for the first time. REVIEWS. Gardening. By Wruram Pau, F.LS., F.R.H.S. Third Edition. Warne and Co. A Plain Guide to Good Gardening. By SamueEr Woop. Second Edition. Crosby, Lockwood, and Co. Booxs on gardening multiply rapidly, and the fact that many, travelling over the same ground, or nearly so, reach second and third editions, is a gratifying evidence of the growing interest of the public in horticulture, and their desire to obtain information. The first book on our list is by a well-known practical and skilful hand, and the information it affords may there- fore be relied upon as correct. Although the author admits at the outset that gardening cannot be learnt from books, but requires practical experience, the beginner will find this little manual an excellent guide. It will put him on the right tack, and he will get many useful hints in a more pleasant and easy manner than from a larger treatise. The second work, also by an experienced practical gardener, goes more deeply and minutely into the various operations of the kitchen, fruit, and flower garden, and will be found an excellent and trustworthy guide to those who aspire to something more than making gardening an agreeable pastime for leisure hours. 1M IOS Villa CATALOGUES RECEIVED. Joun Laine (Forest Hill). Stove and Greenhouse Plants. Ant. Roozen anp Son, Overveen, near Haarlem, Holland. Dutch and Cape Bulbs, &e. PLATE 217. CLEMATIS LANUGINOSA VIOLACEA. Tue Clematis is one of the most beautiful and, at the same time, one of the most modern of all garden flowers. The oldest hybrid was raised barely thirty years ago, and now we have them by the hundred, and improvements in form and colour are taking place every year. The beautiful variety we have selected for figuring was shown by Mr. Noble, of Bagshot, for the first time in April last, and was awarded a first-class certificate by the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society as a most desirable decorative plant, either for pot-culture or as an out-door plant for covering rock-work, rooteries, or trellises in sheltered situations, where the great flowers will not be injured by rough winds or heavy rains. The individual blooms of this variety (which is one of the most attractive of all the varieties belonging to this section of the genus) vary in size, but are rarely less than seven inches in diameter, the sepaline segments being of great substance. In addition to this fine variety, Mr. Noble has also received certificates this year for C. “ President,” another effective dark purplish variety (the result of an attempt to gain an early- flowered form of the C. Jackmanii type), and C. Proteus, arosy purple double or semi-double flower, which is likely to be the forerunner of a very useful race. At the last meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society Mr. Noble exhibited a very pale lilac or nearly white variety of CO. Jackmanii, and this we consider is a welcome addition to the group to which it belongs, as from it a pure white seedling will doubtless soon be obtained, a result hitherto hoped for in vain. What is now wanted is a race of hybrids between C. Jackmanii or C. lanuginosa and the lovely old C. montana, which is one of the hardicst, earliest, and most floriferous of all the species now grown in our gardens. It seems singular that such graceful plants as Clematis should be so rarely used in our gardens to produce pleasing landscape or gardenesque effects; for it cannot but be allowed that they are capable of adding more beauty to the garden than almost any other climbing plant, if we except the Rose; and these two plants and fresh green Ivy might be associated in a hundred different ways, either in beds or borders, or on walls, tree-trunks, trellises, or over bowers and verandahs, where their great delicate-tinted flowers could be viewed to the best advantage. Piate 218. FREEZIA LEICHTLINIANA. ALL who have hitherto grown this plant have been perfectly satisfied with its modest beauty, and our coloured figure of it is, we believe, the first which has been published in this country. As to the merits of the plant, we cannot do better than quote the following description, which appeared in a recent number of the ‘ Garden,” from the pen of W. E. Gumbleton, Esq., of Belgrove, near Cork :—“ This charming and delicately-perfumed little plant has now been in bloom in my conservatory for over a month, having commenced to open its pretty flowers (which are of a delicate primrose yellow, with a deep and clearly- marked golden blotch on the front of the lower petals) about the end of February, and continuing in beauty throughout the whole of March. The perfume exhaled from its blossoms is of an exquisite and peculiar character, not exactly resembling that of any other plant with which I am acquainted, but reminding one of what the concentrated essence of the common Primrose of the woods might be. This pretty plant was first introduced into this country by the New Plant and Bulb Company, at Colchester, who exhibited a well- bloomed potful of it at the spring show of the Royal Botanic Society, Regent’s Park, in April, 1875, when it received a botanical certificate. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and is exceedingly quick of increase, the two bulbs sent me last season from Colchester having divided into halfa-dozen bulbs, nearly as large as I received, all of which have bloomed well this spring, and no fewer than twenty off-sets, varying from the size of a Sweet Pea to a full-sized Marrowfat edible Pea, and even two of these bulblets are now showing heads of bloom. It is, therefore, evident that it is an extremely free and early bloomer when properly managed, as though at Colchester the blooms did not begin to expand till the middle of April, with me without any kind of forcing they began to open on February 27. It is now also seeding freely, and is said to be in all probability perfectly hardy.” PLATE 219. HYBRID PERPETUAL ROSE—OXONIAN. Tue Rose we have selected for figuring is one of the most distinct of all modern varicties, and is another representative of the English-raised seedlings which are just now becoming popular on account of their hardy, robust, and floriferous habit. It is one of a series to be sent out by Mr. Charles Turner, of Slough, next autumn, and well deserves a place in the most select collection. It was exhibited last year for the first time, and received several first-class certificates. It is a cup-shaped Rose, the petals being smooth, even, and of great substance. The colour is bright carmine, the backs of the petals being delicately shaded with pearly lilac. The ample foliage is stout and of a fresh green tint, without which the best Roses lose much of their attractiveness, especially when arranged for exhibition. Pirate 220. CYPRIPEDIUM ARGUS. No group of Orchids is more interesting than that to which the subject of our plate belongs, and which is itself one of the most distinct of all the newly-introduced species. It isa native of the Philippine Islands, whence it was introduced by Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea, in whose extensive collection the drawing of which our plate is a copy was made in April last. At first sight this plant reminds one of C. barbatum, and more than once we have thought it might possibly be a natural hybrid, of which the last-named species and the more sombre-coloured C. venustum were the parents; at any rate, it is readily distinguishable from C. barbatum, which it most nearly resembles by its petals being more profusely marked with dark purple eye-like spots, from which circumstance the specific name given to this plant by Professor H. G. Reichenbach fils has been derived. Its flower-stems, or scapes, are higher than those of any other solitary-flowered Lady Slipper, often attaining a length of from eighteen inches to two feet. The plant grows freely in an ordinary plant-stove or intermediate house, where the temperature does not fall below fifty degrees, and, as will be seen by our plate, it is well worthy of a place in all good collections of Orchids. Cypripediums are generally grown in a fresh, open compost of peat, living Sphagnum Moss, and coarse sand, placed on a well-drained bottom; but Mr. Thos. Speed, gardener to the Duke of Devonshire, at Chatsworth, has for some years grown his Lady Slippers in a compost of which fresh turfy loam is the main ingredient, and the vigour of plants so grown is very remarkable, both foliage and flowers being improved in size, colour, and substance. uD lin F W Burbidge del et lith “YY BrocksDay&Son Imp CLEMATIS LANUGINOSA VIOLACEA FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES L. Reeve &Co.5 Henmetta St.Covent Garden 218 FW Burbidge del et ith. V Brocks Day § Son Imp PREESIA LEDC LIN IANS. FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES 219 V Brooks Day &5en.lmp F W. Burbidge, del et ith. HYBRID PERPETUAL ROSE OXONIAN FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES L.Reeve &0c.5, Henrietta St.Covent Garden NAST RISTO ont oe I Brocks Day &Son.] FW. Burbidge delet lith Tatars EYPRIPEDLUM AR GUS FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES D L. Reeve &Co.5 Hemetta St: Covent Garden THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES.] AUGUST, 1876. [No. 56. FLORAL EXHIBITIONS. Rosrs have held the place of honour at nearly every flower-show during the past month, and rarely, if ever, have we seen the tea-scented varieties shown in better condition, while the more massive and brilliant Hybrid Perpetual varieties have in most cases been decidedly above mediocrity. Among the new varieties we are glad to find that bond-fide English raised seedlings are coming well to the fore at nearly every exhibition, and the follow- ing among others seem destined to take a place in all good general collections. One of the most deliciously fragrant of all roses is the Rev. J. B. M. Camm, a full rosy petalled variety, possessing the true old Provence odour. Royal Standard has also impressed us as being one of the best of all the new globular varieties ; indeed, some have objected to it as being too full, an opinion with which, however, we do not coincide. Miss Hassard has improved this season and * promises to become a standard variety, as also does the bright rosy lilac Marchioness of Exeter, one of Mr. Lax- ton’s seedlings, which Messrs. Paul and Son staged in splendid condition at the Crystal Palace, along with Emily Laxton, another of Mr. Laxton’s seedlings, although not to be compared with the last for quality. Decidedly the best of Mr. Laxton’s seedlings are Marchioness of Exeter and Mrs. Laxton, the last a shapely crimson purple variety, shown in excellent condition, and certificated at the Royal Horticultural Society’s meeting on the 19th ult. Messrs. Paul and Son have made us familiar with a race of dark crimson varieties, among which we have noted Reynolds Holeand Duke of Connaught as the best. Mr. Bennett has exhibited a promising new light rosy variety under the name of Aegeria, but this and Cleopatra (which we thought was one of the most perfect of all roses when exhibited at the first exhibition held in the Aquarium at Westminster) must be seen again before we can decide on their merits. Among light rosy varieties Comtesse de Serenyi deserves a place as one of the most chaste of all exhibition varieties. There is one rose which we have looked for in vain at all the princi- pal rose shows of the season—namely, Beauty of Glazenwood —a large “ yellow variety, striped with crimson.” One of the most enjoyable of all the rose shows of the present season was that held at the Alexandra Palace, on the 7th ult. The blooms were arranged in the cool and spacious concert room, and the light being agreeably diffused, the colours could be seen to the best advantage. One of the most interesting features in this exhibition was the class for English raised varieties in which Messrs. Paul and Son and Mr. Turner competed with excellent blooms. The varieties were St. George, crimson ; Bessie Johnson, a full rosy blush variety ; Cheshunt Hybrid, a rich carmine tea-scented kind; Queen Victoria, blush white ; Duke of Edinburgh, crimson purple; Peach Blossom, delicate satiny peach; John Hopper, rosy carmine ; Empress of India, crimson; Devoniensis, one of the best of all the English raised Tea roses ; Princess Beatrice, a full rosy lilac flower ; Beauty of Waltham, carmine ; Black Prince, crimson purple; Princess Mary of Cambridge, delicate rosy salmon; Dr. Hooker, fiery crimson; Duchess of Edinburgh, peach; Annie Laxton, Reynolds Hole, Mrs. Baker, a fiery rose-tinted variety ; Royal Standard, Star of Waltham, carmine; J. S. Mill, crimson; Miss Hassard, Miss Poole, rosy peach; Rev. J.B. M. Camm, and one or two others. Now that our rosarians have commenced raising seedling roses in earnest, we hope to see classes reserved for these varieties at all our rose shows, a practice which will tend to foster a by no means unremunerative branch of horticultural industry, seeing that large sums have been spent annually in importing new roses from continental raisers. ARTIFICIAL VARIEGATION. Aut who are interested in obtaining variegated plants will be pleased to know that variegation can in many cases be communicated to a green-leaved plant by budding or grafting it with variegated scions from the same oran allied species. In the ease of Abutilons this isa well-known fact ; and soon after Messrs. Veitch introduced the vermilion-flowered, green-leaved A. Darwinii, a variegated form was artificially produced on the Continent, by budding it with scions from the golden blotched A. Thomsonianum. This practice has also succeeded with the Ash, Holly, Sweet Chestnut, Laburnum, Common Chestnut, Maple, Jasmine, Oleander, and Passion Flower. Black, white, and red or striped Grapes have been produced on the same bunch by splicing the branches of a black-berried and a white-berried Vine together, and analogous effects have been produced by grafting the tubers of red and white Potatoes. The oft-quoted Cytisus Adami was produced by inserting a shield bud of C. purpureus beneath the bark of C. laburnum, and we have many records of Pears being altered in size, colour, flavour, and time of ripening owing to their having been grafted on the Quince stock. Hence it will be seen that grafting is not to be relied on as a certain means of reproducing either varieties or species in a pure state, but, on the contrary, may in many cases be employed to change the colour or other attributes of a species or variety in a manner closely analogous to hybridism or cross-fertilisation. THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. PTERIS SERRULATA LEYII. Or the numerous forms of this useful and much-admired species, the variety now illustrated is without doubt the most remarkable and distinct. In place of the usual portions of the frond is an ex- tremely fine caudal or cornute extension of the midrib, which grows erect and stiff with a perfect curl at the apex. These prolongations are quite barren of spores, and being of a very light green and very freely produced, have a most beautiful and novel appearance. It has been raised by Mr. G. H. Ley, from a depau- perate frond produced on a plant of very varying nature, no two fronds being alike. It will probably be much in demand for bouquet work and decoration generally. HYBRID NARCISSI. Beavrirun as are nearly all the wild species and varieties of Narcissus they have been considerably improved by Mr. Leeds, of Manchester, and other hybridisers. Among Mr. Leeds’ seedlings are hybrids between N. Pseudo-Narcissus and N. incomparabilis, others between the last species and the purple-rimmed N. Poeticus, while the last-named again has been made the progenitor of a race in company with N. Macleai. Another very delicate tinted race of hybrids has been bred from seed of N. incomparabilis fertilised with the pollen of N. (montanus) poculiformis, most of these being white with sulphur-coloured cups. The readiness with which hybrid and cross-bred Narcissi are produced even in a state of nature, and the extreme variability of the seedlings has led to much difference of opinion as to the specific limits and classification of these beautiful hardy bulbs. Dean Herbert was one of the first to hybridise Narcissus in this country, and one of his seedlings from N. Pseudo-Narcissus fertilised with pollen from N. Poeticus bore a great resemblance to N. incomparabilis, and by cross- ing this again with the pollen of N. Poeticus plants were obtained which differed but little from the last-named species. A NEW ORCHID POT, Any invention which promises to simplify or extend the successful culture of orchids is sure to meet with approval from the ever-increasing body of amateurs who make a speciality of these lovely plants in their gardens. Such an innovation was recently exhibited in London by Mr. Mat- thews of Weston-super-Mare in the shape of an improved orchid pot which, by the courtesy of the Editor of the ‘Garden,’ we are enabled to figure. It is a well-known fact that epiphytal orchids require very little pot-room, hence the pots in which they are grown have hitherto been partially filled with crocks (a safe refuge for cockroaches and a snug harbour for ants and woodlice) over which the compost has been placed. This plan has answered well in the hands of careful cultivators, but in course of time the soil is washed down among the drainage in watering, and stagnant moisture has been the result. ‘In order to obviate this stagnation and the consequent loss of root-power Mr. Matthews has in- vented an orchid pot of which the accompanying illustration is a section, and in which a circular dise of earthen- ware is made to replace the mass of broken crocks formerly placed below the compost. The simple ad- dition of the disc secures perfect drainage and due aération of the compost, while at the same time it obviates the danger from overwatering or superflu- ous moisture remaining stagnant in the compost. The joint advantages of a pot and a pan are here com- bined without the defects of either, and we are glad to know that such a simple cultural apparatus has already been used with excellent results in many good collec- tions. SSO 11 Prats 221. RHODODENDRON—STAR OF ASCOT. The plant we now figure is a seedling raised by the late Mr. John Standish, one of the most successful of all garden hybridists, and one of the first cultivators who took up the cultivation and improvement of the Rhododendron in this country. The results of these and subsequent improvements are well known, the hybridiser’s art having made the Rho- dodendron one of the most variable and beautiful of all hardy spring flowering shrubs. The variety now figured for the first time is a very distinct one; chiefly remarkable for the intensity of its purplish black markings, which look all the more striking as contrasted with the white and delicate lilac-tinted petals. It is scarcely hardy, but well deserves culture as a pot specimen for exhibition purposes, along with the now numerous crimson, rose, lilac, purple, and white varieties. What is now wanted in this genus is a yellow- flowered variety, but as we have yellow-flowered species this will doubtless soon be forth- coming. At present the yellow colour so necessary for contrasting with the masses of Rho- dodendrons in our gardens has to be supplied by planting hardy deciduous Azaleas, and it is difficult to imagine any richer effects in pure colour than are thus obtainable for mingling with the tender foliage of the opening year. ODONTOGLOSSUM CIRRHOSUM. This is by far the largest and most beautiful of all the Odontoglossums ; that is, of all the species of which 0. nwvium and its large-flowered variety may be taken as the types; and although only quite recently imported to this country by Mr. W. Bull, for the first time in a living state, it has long been known in herbaria and books, Colonel Hall having sent these dried materials from the Western declivity of the Andes, where it luxuriates at an altitude of 5000 to 6000 feet. The credit of again discovering and sending home thriving plants belongs to the brothers Klaboch, who sought it successfully under the directions of their uncle, the veteran traveller and plant collector, Roezl. It is a much larger and finer thing than its nearest ally, O. neviwm majus, and has brighter and more distinct colours, the rich, reddish-brown streaks on the expanded base of the lip being quite peculiar to the present plant, while the purple or chocolate speckling of O. neviwm is here augmented into large rich blotches on a clear, ivory-white ground. The plant was first exhibited in flower by Spencer Brunton, Esq., of Beckenham, at the Royal Horticultural Society’s meeting, held on April 5th of the present year, when it was unanimously awarded a first-class certificate. Sir Trevor Lawrence also succeeded in blooming it about the same time; and our drawing was made from one of Mr. Bull’s plants, which bloomed in the following May. Professor Reichenbach, described the plant in the ‘ Gardeners’ Chronicle,’ of April 15th of the present year, and adds that, ‘‘There can be no doubt that Odontoglossum ctrrhosum, Lindl., is one of the most lovely Orchids we possess.” PLATE 228. ALPINE AURICULA—KING OF THE BELGIANS. This is one of the best of all the velvety crimson varieties, and has been repeatedly shown during the past Auricula season by Mr. Charles Turner of Slough, who is known as one of the most enthusiastic and successful of all the raisers of these lovely flowers. The following concise and essentially practicable directions for the successful culture of Alpine Auriculas are from the pen of Mr. Henry Taylor :— ‘‘ Few spring flowers are more effective than these ; they bloom in April and May, and are easily managed. A few shallow pans or flower-pots half full of crocks should be filled with fine soil, consisting chiefly of loam from rotted turf, leaf-mould, and peat, or a fine sprinkling of silver sand. Press the soil firmly in the pots and soak it well with boiling water, in order to kill any small insects or their eggs that may exist in it. When cold sprinkle the seed on the surface, and cover it very slightly with fine mould. Lay a cover of Moss on the top of each pot to retain the moisture, and place them ina cold frame. Lift up the Moss about once a week, and if the soil appears to be getting dry, which it never ought to be, pour some water on the Moss, an operation which will not disturb the seeds. In about a month the young seedlings will begin to appear. When large enough to handle, pot them off singly into very small pots, using the fine compost already mentioned; they will soon begin to grow in earnest and require a larger pot. They must not be exposed to a scorching sun; the pots should now be plunged in ashes in a situation having a north aspect. Some of the strongest seedlings will show bloom in the autumn, and as soon as the trusses appear, they should be nipped clean out. When a bed has been prepared in October, by digging into it some good rotten hot-bed manure, the plants may be turned out of their pots into it, about 8 in. apart. When the seedlings show their spring bloom, mark those that are good as to colour and quality. Propagate the best by means of off-sets, and get rid of the others by giving them to some neighbouring cottager, who will be glad of them.” Prats 224. NARCISSUS MUTICUS. The common Daffodil is well known to be one of the most variable of all the species in the genus to which it belongs, and the Pyrenean plant we now figure may be considered ag one of its most extreme forms. It is the latest to bloom of all the varieties of WV. Pseudo- Narcissus, both Mr. Barr and Mr. Ware having sent me fresh specimens in May last. After the accompanying plate was prepared, I sent the specimens to Mr. Baker, F.L.S8., at Kew, our best authority on Amaryllids, and he at once recognised them as belonging to the J. muticus of Gay. The perianth segments of this plant are much more spreading than in any other Daffodil, and approach those of WV. cxcomparabilis in shape. The most distinct charac- teristics of the flower, however, is the extremely long corona; the tube between the ovary and perianth segments being extremely short. There is some difference in the size of the flower, and in our plate we have introduced the largest and smallest we could find; but the long and perfectly cylindrical crown is so characteristic that any one may recognise the plant at a glance. The leaves vary from a glaucus tint to a bright green colour similar to those of NV. Macleai. CAEN aa fe del et hth mes dg V. Barbi FY RHODODENDRON a re) SERIE FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW ‘Henrietta St.Covent Garden L. Reeve & Co ; \ 222 A ls ww V Brocks Day &Son Imp ; t FW. Burbidge, del et Lith ODONTOGLOSSUM CIRRHOSUM FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES L. Reeve &Co.5 Henmetta St. Covent Garden 3 = mn - " 1 Ms in 3 “4 - ie , i . ’ bz 34 : — e \ é i ‘ . v ® i 1 * ‘ “ " — ‘ 5 ot. : ie, a : ¥ - : _ ° _ ae | ib - ol my % , oa ry ite ce ee on 7 = , a , 7 ate “ : " . 7 ’ ‘| a 1 7 - T ii a : t aq ; i i] 9909 2409 FW. Burbidge del. et hth V Brooks Day&Son Imp API NE AU RC uUDA ‘King of the Belgians’ FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES L.Reeve &Co.5 Hemmetta. St. Covent Garden FW. Burbidge, del et Lith V Brocks Day &Son dnp NAR CIS eo oer PUC Us FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES L Reeve &Co.5Henmetta St.Covent Garden y Pani bi ta aa : 7 ' X : rs ‘ = ay \ THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES. ] SEPTEMBER, 1876. [No. 57. FLORAL EXHIBITIONS. Tue last summer exhibition of the Royal Horticultural Society, held on the 19th of July, was a most inter- esting one, although new plants were not so plentiful as one might have expected. Messrs. Veitch and Sons received a first-class certificate for their new seedling tuberous-rooted Begonia, “‘ Countess of Done- raile,’ a dwarf, robust, dark-leaved variety, having purplish red stems, and bearing axillary three-flowered trusses of vivid crimson-scarlet flowers. It is difficult to imagine a more effective plant for pot culture. Utricularia Endresi, also sent by Messrs. Veitch, obtained a first-class certificate. It has the habit of U. montana, but the flowers are of a delicate lilac colour, with a faint lemon-yellow throat. Gymno- gramma Alstoni, a very distinct gold fern, was exhibited, which has the singular habit of turning up the edges of its fronds so as to show the golden under surfaces of the pinnee, in contrast with the deep green upper part of the fronds. It is said that its spores re- produce this variety, or, to use a popular expression, the seedlings “come true,” so it is likely soon to become plentiful. Messrs. Sander and Co., seed growers of St. Alban’s, sent a dwarf free-blooming Iberis, said to be the I. coronaria of Sweet. It is asummer-blooming annual, with stout toothed leaves of great substance, ee and it well deserves culture for outdoor decorative purposes. At the Committee Meeting held at South Kensington on August 3rd, Messrs. Veitch and Sons sent a very beautiful Begonia of dwarf habit, which bears very vivid orange-scarlet flowers on 3-flowered scapes five or six inches in height. It was certificated under the name of B. Davisii, but must not be con- founded with a plant bearing that name in the Kew ~ collection, which is of entirely different habit, belong- ing, as it does, to the B. insignis group. A very deli- cately-tinted greenhouse Rhodendron named “ Maiden’s Blush,” in allusion to the colour, was much admired. It betongs to the now famous R. Javanico-jasminiflorum group, and well deserved the first-class certificate awarded to it as a decorative plant. Mr. C. Noble, of Bagshot, agai sent his new seedling Bourbon rose, “Queen of Bedders,” a vigorous, dwarf-habited, and floriferous crimson-flowered variety, raised from seeds of “Sir Joseph Paxton.” Messrs. Daniel Bros., of Norwich, obtained a first-class certificate for their new hybrid Godetia, which we now figure and describe for the first time. Certificates were also given by the Floral Committee to Hollyhock, “ Virgin Queen,” a full, white-flowered variety, raised by Mr. Chater; and to Zonal Pelargonium, “ Madame A. Baltet,” a double white-flowered seedling, sent by M. Lemoine, of Nancy. The committee meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, held on August 16th, was a very attractive one; new Dahlias being sent by Mr. Charles Turner, who obtained certificates for “ Drake Lewis,” a robust crimson-scarlet flower, and “ Canary,” a pure yellow self. Messrs. Kelway, of Langport, sent a stand of Gladioli, in fair condition, but the weather has been too torrid for well-finished spikes. The following obtained certificates: ‘ Lady Aberdare,’ a large white variety, the lower segments boldly striped with purple; “ Dr. Hogg,” a lilac-purple variety, with smooth shapely petals, and a white throat, the outer sepals being flaked with crimson. “ Rev. M. J. Berkeley” is a soft and well-shaped rosy- salmon variety, the outer segments being flaked with vermilion, and altogether a very nice addition to these gorgeous autumn flowers. Messrs. Veitch and Sons sent a richly-coloured variety of the purple- flowered Australian Dendrobium bigibbum superbum, and two very pretty hybrid Begonias came from Messrs. Frébel and Co., of Zurich. B. “ Otto Forster” is said to bea seedling between B. imperialis and B. Rex, and has velvety leaves splashed with silvery-grey. B. “ Miranda,” a seedling between B. Rex und B. smaragdina, has darker green leaves, with the silvery markings of B. Rex. Both are very much alike, the upper surface of the foliage being asperous, while the interstices between the anastomosing veins on the under surface of the leaves present a curiously- punctured appearance. The flowers of both are ereenish-white and inconspicuous om ‘ /_ 1 ‘ Lat y . i uae D : ng oft See Hy * i " a gi: 5 Burbidge delet th ; ce 4 oe 4 2 : 4 FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES L.Reeve & 00.5, Henrietta St.Covent Garden V Brooks Day &Son tmp FW. Burbidge. del et Jith V. Eroa ns, Day & Son, Imp STEMONS Octarcon =i [ed al G. = rr wel jes) Fs) i) cS) 2] Do FLORAL MAGAZINE. NEW SERIES I. Reeve &Co.5 Henrietta St. Covent Garden om . 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