ON ORCHIDS. 



599 



a free sprinkling of rough sand or finely-broken crocks. As the 

 plants are gross feeders during the growing season, every pre- 

 caution must be taken to keep the soil in a free and open con- 

 dition. 1'here are numerous species and hybrids, from the pure 

 white C. eburneum to the wonderful C. Tracyanum with deep 

 brown-spotted and lined flowers. The racemes of the latter 

 produce upwards of twenty flowers, each blossom measuring more 

 than 6in. in diameter. 

 C. Tracyanum, with 

 C. Loivianum, C. gigan- 

 teum, C. grandiflorum, 

 and others of this sec- 

 tion last in' perfection 

 for weeks, and are 

 most useful even when 

 cut for decorative pur- 

 poses. The whole 

 section is most tract- 

 able under cultivation, 

 and worthy of every 

 consideration. 



Cypripediums are 

 divided into two sec- 

 tions : the _ Eastern, 

 known as Cypripedium 

 proper, and the Western, 

 termed Selenipedium. 

 Attempts have been 

 made of late to sub- 

 divide these into several 

 other genera ; but as 

 both the Eastern and 

 Western sections thrive 

 admirably together, the 

 general term Cypripe- 

 dium answers all 

 requirements that are 

 needed here. These 

 plants cannot be too 

 highly recommended. 

 Though not so attrac- 

 tive as the Cattleyas, they have other qualities which more than 

 atone for their shortcoming in this respect. There are now nearly 

 iooo distinct species and hybrids in cultivation ; these flower at 

 different seasons of the year, and many of them last months in 

 perfection. It is possible with a little consideration to have 

 Cypripediums in flower the whole year through. Many of them 

 are highly interesting, and may be procured at reasonable prices ; 



Fig. 380. — Cypripedium regina. 



