70 COOL ORCHID GROWING. 



G. Davis, Esq., Colston Basset, Notts. It is a native of the 

 Sikkim Himalayas, and grows vigorously in a moderate 

 temperature, if plentifully supplied with moisture. 



*G. Mastersii (lb'41, a native of the E. Indies). — Flowers 

 snowy white, five and eight together, from near the apex of an 

 erect scape ; the labellum of this species is more or less suffused 

 or shaded with delicate flesh colour ; delicately perfumed, like 

 almonds ; grows freely with the same treatment as C.eburneum ; 

 flowers during the winter months, and lasts from five to six 

 weeks. 



Cypripedium. 



A large and interesting genus of curious and beautiful 

 plants, the species of which are widely distributed, from the 

 temperate woods of North America on one hand to the heat 

 and moisture of the tropics on the other. The flowers are 

 peculiar, from their having a slipper-shaped lip (see p. 71), 

 hence their common name, " Lady's Slippers." A large pro- 

 portion of these plants will grow vigorously in a cool house 

 that does not descend below 45*^ in the winter. Cypripediums 

 are decidedly terrestrial plants, and will succeed admirably in 

 a compost of fresh turfy loam — the more fibre there is con- 

 tained in it the better — well dried cow-dung, and good 

 fibrous peat. The pots or pans should be well drained, and 

 then the plants may be freely watered all through the summer 

 months. They must never be allowed to become dry, even 

 when at rest, aud when growing the syringe may be used 

 freely to keep down thrips. Most of the species may be grown 

 in large flat pans, and are well adapted for exhibition purposes. 

 The hardy or half-hardy section has been neglected, but we 

 give a popular synopsis of them, and hope ere long to 

 meet with them in cultivation. Many of them are quite 

 as beautiful as those at present in cultivation in our plant 

 houses. 



