January, 1922] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 23 
CYPRIPEDIUMS FROM WESTONBIRT. 
By A VISITOR. 
T the Meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on December 13th the 
u value of Orchids for winter decoration was again demonstrated. The 
outstanding feature of the exhibition was the Gold Medal group of 
Cypripediums from Lieut.-Col. Sir George Holford, K.C.V.O.. (gr. Mr. 
H. G. Alexander). Although only twenty-two plants, they filled an area of 
fifty square feet. Every plant was ideal, and an exponent of perfect 
culture and quality, the three or four stately blooms on each specimen 
looking superb. All had been raised in the Westonbirt collection. Some 
of the more recently raised plants were smaller, but they gave promise, and 
served to stimulate the imagination as to their super-perfection when 
eventually they attain the size and vigour of their confreres. Confined as 
the group was to a single section of winter flowering Orchids, it might well 
be taken as an object lesson for the smaller amateur. 
Looking at the plants, emotions of admiration, envy, and hope were 
evoked. They were perfect examples of an expert cultivator’s skill. What 
one grower can accomplish another may attempt, and the very effort brings 
improvement, if not complete success. The amateur has one great 
advantage. Usually he can concentrate on one, ora few genera, whereas 
the grower of a large collection has to give equal attention to. many con- 
flicting sections. The greater the credit when, as in the present instance, a 
really wonderful result is obtained by his care and forethought. That same 
success should spur the smaller collector, not to despair, but to emulate, 
and perhaps surpass, if not in all, at least in one section. 
There is no finality in Orchid breeding and cultivation. Accommoda- 
tions, means, and other interests perhaps preclude the possibilities of a large 
and varied collection all super-excellent, but by growing those Orchids 
that are the better adapted to any available greenhouse higher results 
than already existing may be obtained, and a friendly rivalry be 
established that will go far towards extending the cult of the Orchid. It 
was understood that Mv. Alexander proposed to move the plants from the 
- R.HLS. Hall to Manchester, and there exhibit them. 
Cypripediums are probably more largely grown in the North of England 
than in the South, and competition and judgment is perhaps keener in the 
former locality, but it is doubtful if a similar group has ever before been 
staged either in the North or the South. May it prove the forerunner of 
others, not necessarily of Cypripediums, for a few well-grown plants of any 
genus invariably attract more attention than the miscellaneous groups that 
the trade have perforce to arrange. 
Each of the twenty-two plants in Sir George Holford’s group was 
noteworthy, but if one section might be said to stand out prominently it 
