AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



153 



Cypripedium. 



Another most important item in the successful culture 

 of Cypripediums is the shading. This requires constant 

 attention, and although suggestions are made here, it 

 does not follow that these suggestions may be altogether 

 suitable. It must be borne in mind that a great deal 

 must depend on the aspect of the house. A house with 

 a southern aspect requires to be more denseh- shaded than 

 one with an eastern or a western elevation. The 

 particular circumstances of the atmospheric surroundings 

 must also be taken into consideration. The best judges 

 of the shading material required should be those in charge 

 of the plants. An energetic and enthusiastic cultivator 

 who studies the well-being of the plants in his charge 

 should be in a position to gixe an opinion that should be 

 more wiluable than that of an expert. We ha\e been 

 using for se\-eral \-ears past lath roller blinds on our 

 C)'pripedium-houses, and find them to be superior to the 

 old can\as s}-stem. The blinds are let down on runners 

 that are raised about i ft. from the glass at the bottom ; 

 this allows the air to circulate. Moreover, the blinds being 

 raised well abo\e the glass, this does not get so warm as 

 is the case where can\as is l\'ing on the roofs. The 

 interior of the houses is therefore maintained in a more 

 desirable condition during hot weather. In winter, these 

 blinds are most useful in cold and wind, diminishing the 

 fire-heat requirements to a \-er3' considerable extent. In 

 brighter districts, and in houses with southern aspects, 

 a little additional shade ma_\' be required during 

 the hottest part of the day in the summer. This 

 may be afforded by the use of a few mats or a thin 

 sprinkling of whitening or other shading material on the 

 glass. 



Increasing the stock may be done by division of the 

 growths. If three or more growths are attached successivel)' 

 on the rhizome, the two front ones may be parted asunder 

 from the base at the front of the third, and be carefully 

 taken away with as much root as possible, leaving the old 

 growth undisturbed in its position. This generally breaks 

 satisfactorily, and a good plant is soon produced. The 

 plant removed may be potted as desired. The best 

 period at which to make divisions is at the time when 

 the new roots are being emitted from the base of the 



