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represented in the offspring, but how, to what degree cither will dominate, in what parts, colours, or fashions a hybrid 
will show its mixed lineage, the experienced refuse to conjecture, saving certain easy classes. After choosing parents 
thoughtfully, with a clear perception of the aim in view, one must ‘go it blind.’ Very often the precise effect desired 
appears in due time; very often something unlooked for turns up; but nearly always the result is beautiful, whether or 
no it serve the operator’s purpose. Besides effect, however, there is an utility in hybridisation which relates to culture. 
Thus, for example, the lovely Cypripedium Fairrieanum, from Bhootan, is so difficult to grow that few dealers keep it in 
their stock; by crossing it with Cypripedium barbatum, from Mount Ophir, a rough-and-ready cool species, we get 
Cypripedium vexillarium, which takes after the latter in constitution, while retaining much of the beauty of the former. 
Or again, Cypripedium Sanderianum, from the Malay Archipelago, needs such swampy heat as few even of its fellows 
appreciate ; it has been crossed with Cypripedium insigne, which will flourish anywhere, and though the seedlings have 
not yet bloomed, there is no reasonable doubt that they will prove as useful and beautiful as in the other case. Cypri- 
pedium insigne, of the fine varieties, has been employed in a multitude of such instances. There is the striking 
Cypripedium hirsutissimum, with sepals of a nameless green, shaded yellow, studded with spiculae, exquisitely frilled, 
and tipped, by a contrast almost startling, with pale purple. It is very ‘hot’ in the first place, and, in the second, its 
appearance would be still more effective if some white could be introduced; present it to Cypripedium niveum and 
confidently expect that the progeny will bear cooler treatment, whilst their ‘dorsal sepal’ will be blanched.” 
Taken from a plant in the possession of C. L. Ingram, Esq., Elstead House, Godalming. 
