characters of the lip and crest, and could not possibly have participated in the 
parentage of the present form, which only differs from O. x excellens in having 
the sepals and petals much more spotted than usual. The details of the lip and 
column wings are absolutely identical. It is a very handsome variety, which 
appeared in the celebrated collection of Baron Scur6per, The Dell, near Windsor. 
Ri A ROLFE. 
RE-POTTING OF CYPRIPEDIUMS. 
Cypripediums, as the other Orchids, do not require to be re-potted before 
they become too large for the pots in which they are grown, unless in exceptional 
cases, when the roots are unhealthy, or the compost become sour by some 
accident. 
The compost should be formed of fibrous peat and sphagnum in nearly 
equal parts. Having prepared the materials in sufficient quantities, and having 
placed it in baskets near at hand, we commence the re-potting. The pot should 
be just of the necessary size, generally from half to three-quarters of an inch 
larger than the preceding one. It is best not to choose them too large, though 
the evils arising from this proceeding are, in reality, less perceptible in the case 
of Cypripedium than in that of other genera. 
The drainage should first be placed in the receptacle. The pieces of broken 
potsherds, well cleaned and carefully washed, are placed at the bottom of the 
pot until nearly half full, sometimes less, which depends on the quantity of roots 
which the plant under treatment possesses. 
It is evidently not advisable to unduly restrict the roots, and account should 
be taken of their development in each species or individual under treatment. 
A further reason which should serve to guide us in giving a more abundant 
drainage to plants possessing but few roots, is, that these are more delicate, 
and greater care should be taken to prevent the loss of any roots from stagnant 
humidity. 
When prepared to receive the plant we proceed to remove it from its 
former pot, an operation which occasionally presents some difficulties. Frequently 
the roots cling to the sides of the pot, and are not easily detached, in which case 
it is better to sacrifice the pot, for otherwise we risk bruising the roots and 
considerably enfeebling the plant. Take a hammer and break the pot carefully 
to pieces, after which the roots are detached more easily, and if some still stick 
to the broken pieces, these may be conserved as an integral part of the ball 
of compost. 
Having removed the plant, the surface of the old compost should be sum- 
marily cleaned by removing every portion which is not absolutely fresh and 
(To be continued on p. 52.) 
