orchids: how to grow thkm successfully. 13 



being two of the veiy best, should occupy a prominent position 

 in every collection. These and other popular varieties may be 

 purchased as strong inii)orted or established plants ; but by buying 

 tli(! latt(T in a healthy condition much time is gained, as the 

 imported ones are slow in becoming established, and the others 

 are purchaseable at almost any reasonable ijrice ; good plants 

 of ordinary vaiieties selling at from 2/6 to 3/6 each, while as 

 much as 50 guineas has sometimes been paid for a plant of an 

 exceptionally line or rare variety. It is best, therefore, to pay a 

 reasonable piice and start well with good plants. Fig. 7 rejjresents 

 an imported plant of Odont. Alexandi-fe, a fair value being about 

 3'- to o/-. Fig. 8 represents a semi -established plant, obtainabh* 

 at a cost of from 5/- to 1/6. Odont. crispum, si/n. Odont. Alex- 

 andrsB, is a universal favourite, and is imported in very large 

 numbers, finding a ready sale; but these, if strong and healthy, 

 can seldom be purchased at lower prices than I have named. 



CYPRIPEDIUMS {T/if Lwhfs SJippf-r). 



These are Orchids having no pseudo bulbs, and on that 

 account are somewhat difficidt to import and establish, but when 

 successfully done they generally admit of easy culture. It is, 

 liowever, best under all circumstances to procure established plants, 

 and although v(;ry far from possessing the beauty and attractiveness 

 of a Cattleya or a Dendrobe, still there is a great deal of beauty 

 in them all — some much more than in others — and all are most 

 interesting and of comparatively easy cidture. The most common, 

 and one of the oldest and the freest gi-owing of all. is C. insignc 

 still ranking as one of the best, good plants of which, in .3-ineli 

 pots, represented by Fig. 9, capable of bearing five or six flowers, 

 can be purchased at from o - to 7/6. There are many varieties 

 of C. insigne, more or less expensive, according to the quality of 

 the variety, but the typical form is handsome, and can be gro^Ti 

 so easily. Perhaps the most interesting and distinct form of 

 C. insigne is to be found in C. insigne, rar. Sanderie, in which 

 white and clear yellow colours predominate (this was purchased 

 by Baron Schroeder for a large sum, and is now in liis very 

 fine collection). There are many other species and varieties of 

 Cypripediums, nice plants of which may be secured at prices varying 

 from o/- to 20/-, whilst other rare species and hybrids are 



