16 ORCHIDS : HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 



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 

 culture. The most common, and one of the oldest and the freest 

 growing of all, is C. insigne, still ranking as one of the best, good 

 plants of which, in 5-inch pots, represented by Fig. 9, capable of 

 bearing five or six flowers, can be purchased at from os. to 7s. 6d. 

 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 grown so easily. Perhaps the most interesting 

 and distinct form of C. insigne is to be found in C. insigne, var. 

 Sanderee, in which white and clear yellow colours predominate. (This 

 was purchased by Baron Schroder for a large sum, and is now in 

 several collections.) There are many other species and varieties of 

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

 from. 5s. to 20s., whilst other rare species and hybrids are more 

 expensive. Cypripediums have now for several years held a prominent 

 position and are established favourites ; the diversity in colour of the 

 various kinds, the interesting formation of their flowers, and their easy 

 culture, having done so much to secure this popularity. It is quite 

 easy by cross fertilisation to obtain seed which, in the majority of 

 instances, will germinate, and in the hands of our hybridists, new 

 forms, some of which are of great beauty and distinctness, are yearly 

 being added to our collections. These, together with the different 

 varieties of the many species, make up an extraordinary number of 

 named sorts. 



MASDEVALLIAS. 



I now wish to say a few words about this very interesting genus 

 of epiphytal Orchids. This genus was named in honour of Joseph 

 Masdeval, a Spanish physician and botanist, and is a very large one, 

 there being upwards of 150 known species. Comparatively few 

 species, however, merit cultivation for their beauty alone, although 

 all are extremely interesting ; and in forming a collection of them 

 many wonderfully quaint and curious forms and colours will be 

 found, some of the tints being very peculiar. Masdevallias are Cool 

 growing Orchids, and as many of them are of a very close, compact 

 habit, they only require to be accommodated in small pans or in 

 baskets suspended from the roof ; therefore a large collection can 

 be grown in a small space. A house which is in a sheltered position, 

 both from strong winds and from the strong rays of the summer 

 sun, suits them best, as then a moist and regular temperature and 

 atmosphere can be evenly balanced, such as is congenial to this genus. 

 They grow freely if potted in equal parts of sphagnum moss and 

 peat, with a little coarse sand mixed in to keep the compost porous 

 and sweet; for strong growing kinds a little fibrous loam may 



