December 14, 1912 



HORTICULTURE 



815 



An Orchid Sport 



Colin B. Ogston, superintendent of the Kimball con- 

 servatories, Rochester, N. Y., sends us the photographs 

 herewith reproduced. The possibility of an orchid sport 

 has been a subject of much discussion among the great 

 specialists, all such "malformations" as are apparent in 

 the subject of these notes being regarded as malforma- 

 tions simply and without any "fixed" type quality that 

 would entitle them to any recognition as "sports." In 

 the letter accompanying the photographs, Mr. Ogston 

 writes as follows : 



This "Little Babe" as we call it, came from Cypri- 

 pedium Harrissianum of a very fine variety. Two years 

 ago I noticed a peculiar leaf growth on the old root. 

 It was thick, short and malformed, having three cor- 

 rugated ribs on the leaf. It was so different from the 

 leaves on the mother plant that I decided it was a sport- 

 ing babe. It grew very fast, and flowered — a greeni>;li 

 yellow overlaid by light chocolate, very dwarf and very 

 distinct, as the mother plant is a fall grower, and very 

 dark in the color of the fiower and does not have the 

 shape of the flower — flat. This flatness is a good acqui- 



phrases. Whatever we do or seek to do for commercial 

 horticulture or with a view to extend horticulture as an 

 art, it must be conceded as a fundamental proposition 

 that the attitude of the public, whether due to a tran- 

 sient whim or to a well-founded principle, is the prime 

 source to wliich wo iiuiHt look for the creation ol' new 

 life and energy in the floral business and ornamental 

 horticulture generally. With this fact in mind does it 

 not seem strange that so large a proportion of those en- 

 gaged in one or the other fields of horticultural industry 

 are disposed to entirely ignore and stand aloof from all 

 educational movements not dealing directly with purely 

 trade questions? Mr. Thilow's address, reproduced in 

 part in this paper, should be read by such. As Mr. 

 Thilow truly says, the amateur clubs and associations 



sition as the flower does not turn back its petals, conse- 

 quently never looks thin. Some idea of its remarkable 

 growth can be imagined as the little fellow has nine 

 growths now in full vigor after but two years. It is the 

 most rapiil grower among cyiiriiiefliiims that I know 

 of. The type is set having three flowers on the plant 

 when photographed, all perfectly formed. We firmly 

 believe it is, the first known orchid sport. 



Professor Bailey said there was no known recorti, 

 that he could find of any orchid producing a sport. It 

 is no malformation ; it is simply a little gem. very dwarf 

 and compact, making a large fiat flower and very dis- 

 tinct from any cyiiripeilium that has been produced 

 hitherto. Looking back at the thousands of orchids that 

 have been imported here, and in Europe, it seems strange 

 that at last the "sporting babe orchid" has come. Any 

 further information that your readers would desire will 

 be cheerfully given. 



Respectfully yours. 



^.^^^' ^^ .^^^<^-?5^ 



would welcome the advice and co-operation of florists 

 (and nurserymen and seedsmen, too) in communities 

 where better civic conditions are being advocated. And 

 doesn't it seem a very short-sighted policy that the 

 majority of our trade people have thus far been follow- 

 ihg. in discariling these opportunities? Tlie more the 

 people, children and all, are brought to the feeling that 

 the flower and the plant are things that concern every- 

 body the more our industry will thrive. So above all, 

 don't shirk your share of the work or the responsibility. 

 Every individual should be willing to contribute his part 

 to the general campaign, otherwise 



"How can he expect that others should 

 Build for him, sow for him and at his call 

 Love him, who for himself will take no heed at all?" 



