190 



Garden and Forest. 



[April 17, 1889. 



abundant and the more regular supply of food material, by 

 which the plants acquire a vigor rarely seen in those imported 

 from their native countries. 



"The geographical distribution of theCypripedia included in 

 this section sufficiently indicates the temperature in which 

 they should be cultivated in the glass-houses of Europe, which 

 is that of the East Indian house for most of the species and 

 hybrids, that is to say, a house in which the night temperature 

 in winter is never allowed to sink below is^-ia" C. (6o°-S5°F.), 

 with a gradual rise as the season advances to i8°-2i° C. (65°- 

 70° ¥.), at which it should be maintained from May to August. 

 The day temperature, by fire-heat alone, should be about 

 3° C. (S^-S" F.) above those of the night. A few species, chiefly 

 insular, including Cypripedium cojicolor, C. niveum, C. Gode- 

 froycB, C. Philippinense, etc., thrive best in the higher temper- 

 ature of the Phalsenopsis house ; on the other hand, C.insigne, 

 C. venustiiin, C. Fairieanum, and the hybrids obtained from 

 them may be cultivated in the intermediate house. 



" It is evident, too, that as the great majority of the tropical 

 species occur within the equatorial belt, or sufficiently near it 

 to come under the like climatic conditions, of which the most 

 noteworthy are the remarkable uniformity of temperature and 

 the high degree of atmospheric humidity throughout the year, 

 there is practically little or no interruption in their vegetation in 

 their native homes. But when transferred to the glass-houses 

 of this coimtry, it is equally clear that such a uniformity of 

 climatic conditions cannot be so strictly maintained by artific- 

 ial means, owing to the succession of the seasons ; hence 

 there is, at least, a partial cessation of growth, if not absolute 

 rest, during the coldest months of the year. Advantage should 

 be taken of the recommencement of their growing seasons to 

 re-pot the plants not then in flower ; they should be potted in 

 a compost of sphagnum moss and fibrous peat in about equal 

 proportions ; the drainage should be kept quite free ; it should 

 consist of clean broken crocks, with which the pots should be 

 filled to one-half or even two-thirds of their depth, according 

 to the size of the plants. As the roots of Cypripedium grow 

 vigorously, ample provision should be made for their develop- 

 ment. 



"The plants must at no time be suffered to get dry at their 

 roots during the growing season ; a high degree of moisture 

 must be maintained in the atmosphere of the house, the 

 amount and frequency of the watering and the sprinkling of 

 the floors, etc. of the house being, of course, regulated by the 

 season of the year and the external circumstances of the wea- 

 ther, etc. The ventilation must also be regulated according 

 to external influences, but it should at all times be as free as 

 is consistent with the well-being of the plants, avoiding cold 

 draughts and sudden changes of temperature. In the summer 

 months the plants should be protected by shading from the 

 direct rays of the sun ; a very slight exposure to direct sun- 

 light at that season causes the foliage to change color ; this is 

 particularly the case with those species that have tesselated 

 leaves." 



Of the Selenipedia, or South American Lady Slippers : 

 " About ten species are known to be genuine, of which six 

 inhabit the Cordilleras of western South America, from Bolivia 

 to Chiriqui in Central America, at elevations of 3,000 to 5,000 

 feet ; three occur on the mountains of British Guiana, and one 

 on the Organ Mountains, near Rio de Janeiro. The localities 

 indicated on the accompanying map must, in several cases, 

 be accepted only as approximately true ; the names given by 

 plant collectors are often not to be found on any map within 

 reach, and are, moreover, frequently misleading. 



"Cultural Note. — The cultural treatment of all the mem- 

 bers of this section, both species and hybrids, is the same 

 as that of the East Indian Cypripedes, with the exception of 

 the temperature, which, on account of the altitude at which 

 the species occur in a wild state, should be 3''-5° C. (5°-9° F.) 

 lower. All the species in cultivation, with the exception of 

 Cypripedium Schlimii and, perhaps, C. Klotzschianiim, whose 

 scapes are few-flowered, continue in flower for several months. 



"Hybrids. —In our introductory notes we have adduced the 

 principal evidence upon which rests the hypothesis that the 

 flowers of Cypripedium in a state of nature rarely produce 

 seeds, owing to the absence generally of the agencies by which 

 they can be fertilized. Under such circumstances, therefore, 

 natural hybrids cannot be expected to occur, even where two 

 species are found growing intermixed if in close proximity to 

 each other ; and it is a remarkable fact — a fact that unques- 

 donably tends to strengthen the evidence we have cited, cir- 

 cumstantial as it is in some points — that no Cypripedium hav- 

 ing the aspect of being a natural hybrid between two recog- 

 nized species has ever yet appeared among importadons of 

 the species, as undoubted natural hybrids have appeared 



among importations of Catdeya, Lselia and Odontoglossum. 

 In strong contrast to this stands the multitude of hybrids raised 

 artificially in the glass-houses of Europe, among which are 

 new forms of exceptional interest, and of so vigorous a con- 

 stitution that they may, in truth, be regarded as the forerun- 

 ners of new races. Without attempting to anticipate results 

 to be hereafter obtained from the intermixture of these races 

 with each other and with the pure species, it may be safely 

 affirmed that no greater triumph has been achieved in modern 

 times by the gardener's art than the production of these hybrid 

 Cypripedes. 



" The first hybrid Cypripedium was raised by Dominy, from 

 Cypripedium villosum and C. barbatum, more than a quarter 

 of a century ago, at our Chelsea Nursery, and was distributed 

 in 187 1 ; it is appropriately named C. Harrisianum, in compli- 

 ment to the late Dr. Harris, of Exeter, who first suggested to 

 Dominy the feasibility of hybridizing and raising Orchids from 

 seed. This was followed at short intervals by C. Dominianum 

 and C. vexillarium. The first seedling raised by Seden is the 

 well-known hybrid that bears his name, and which was dis- 

 tributed in 1874 ; this has been followed up to the present time 

 by an uninterrupted series of results which, apart from suc- 

 cesses obtained in other genera, has secured for the raiser's 

 name a permanent place amongst Bridsh hybridists." 



But we have already drawn liberally from Mr. Veitch's 

 pages, and for further information about these plants, and 

 for detailed instruction about the cuUivation of the different 

 species, we must refer our readers to the book itself. They 

 will find it one of the most interesting and instructive works of 

 horticulture which has appeared for a considerable time. The 

 subject is admirably treated, and this makes it all the more to 

 be regretted that the faults in book-making, to which we have 

 already alluded in noticing earlier issues, are still adhered 

 to — faults which must always injure its value as a work of 

 reference. 



Periodical Literature. 



The Popular Science Monthly for April contains an excellent 

 and timely arficle by Dr. Shufeldt on "Zoological Gardens, 

 their Uses and Management." It is unnecessary to summarize 

 the paragraphs which detail the direct services of such gardens 

 or the many ways in which they may indirectly further the inter- 

 ests of public education and scientific progress. All intelli- 

 gent persons know that they have a value far beyond that of 

 affording a lounging-place for curiosity seekers. But it is im- 

 portant to emphasize the author's declaration that they infalli- 

 bly degenerate into such lounging-places if the collection is 

 " heteorogeneously collected" and " purposelessly arranged." 

 To be useful in any degree the selected site must be suitable for 

 its purpose, and the collection must be arranged and managed 

 on strictly scientific principles. " If possible," says Dr. Shufeldt, 

 "the form of the grounds should be a regular figure, an oblong 

 being one of the best, with a long side toward the direction 

 whence come the prevailing winds, as this assists in securing 

 good ventilation, and the area should include at least 200 to 

 250 acres. . . . Another matter of great importance is the char- 

 acter of the country, which should be as diversified as possible, 

 and the enclosure should contain a few sizable ponds or a good, 

 strong stream of water, in which event the former can easily be 

 constructed artificially. Old trees in groups, some low, level, 

 marsh land, and some hills and rocky portions are all points 

 of extreme natural advantage. These latter features, if marked, 

 usually insure, too, another benefit, for then hilly or broken 

 country is likely to be found immediately beyond the limits of 

 the garden, which, though conducive to the building of hand- 

 some suburban residences, is not likely to fill up entirely with 

 houses as the city increases in size, and thus excellent ventila- 

 tion is secured for all time." Of course, common sense, as 

 well as a desire to create an attractive place of resort, demands 

 such a site as is here indicated. Quoting from Professor 

 Flower the author continues : "The old idea of keeping ani- 

 mals in small, cramped cages and dens . . . sdll lingers in 

 many places. We have a responsibility to our captive animals, 

 brought from their native wilds to minister to our pleasure 

 and instrucfion beyond that of merely supplying them with 

 food and shelter. The more their comfort can be studied the 

 more they are surrounded by conditions reproducing those of 

 their nafive haunts, the more enjoyment and instrucfion we 

 shall obtain when looking at them." For these reasons, it is 

 clear, the area of a zoological garden should be large and its 

 surface should be varied to give proper homes to animals 

 of different habits. Can any one deny the truth of these 

 words ? or, after reading them, can any one think that there is 

 room within our Central Park for the establishment of a 



