THE MOST USEFUL ORCHIDS 79 



over a long period. C. Schlimii succeeds in the cool house and 

 has neat, pretty flowers that are white, shaded with pink or pale 

 purple. This species is remarkable because it is self-fertilising, and 

 is one parent of a series of hybrids that were formerly in high 

 favour, but, as a consequence of their large growth and the fact 

 that the flowers do not last long when cut, and are so liable to 

 damage if bruised, they have fallen from favour. 



Other Hybrids 



In any prominent race, horse or foot, there are invariably 

 a number of entrants of whom it is reported they " also ran." 

 But not seldom some of these are in many ways as good as the 

 winners and often indeed prove the better over a period of years. 

 So it is with many of the hybrid Cypripediums. A hybrid may 

 not be regarded as tip-top, but there comes a time when the 

 opportunity for crossing splendid varieties of the parent species 

 occurs and is taken advantage of, with the result that the progeny 

 is first class and is received with acclamation. On such occasion, 

 however, the new comer is generally given a name altogether 

 diff^erent to that of the original hybrid, instead of a varietal one. 

 In the following list some of the very finest Cypripediums are in- 

 cluded, but it would have been useless to place them in the former 

 selection because they are not obtainable in the ordinary course of 

 business, or only at high prices. 



C. jEson (C. insigne x C. Druryi) ; C. Allanianum (C. 

 Curtisii x C. Spicerianum) ; C. Aylingii (C. ciliolare x C nii)eum\ 

 C. Winifred Hollington is a fine form ; C. Ballantinei (C. 

 Fairrieamim x C. piirpuratum), C.B.Westfield var. is a brilliantly 

 coloured form; C. Berkeley anum [C. bellatuhwi x C. BoxaUii\ 

 C. Beekmaxi is a large variety raised on the Continent; C. 

 Buchanianum (C Druryi x C. Spice rtanuni)\ C. Cardosoanum (C. 



