38 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [FEBRUARY, 1916, 
ees an 
N the January number of the Orchid Review (page 14) suggestions are 
invited as to to the lines on which improvements in winter-blooming 
Cypripediums might most usefully be attempted. At the present time they 
have attained such a high standard of quality that it seems difficult to 
make improvements on the best of existing kinds, but undoubtedly they will 
continue to be made. When one looks back over a series of years, and 
considers what hybrid Cypripediums were, say, twenty years ago, and then 
pictures them in an up-to-date collection at the present time, one may well 
feel satisfaction with the results attained. But we may rest assured that 
the hybridist will continue to make crosses, with the sole purpose of trying 
to produce something better than any existing form; and, of course, the 
finest forms will be used as parents. 
But it is a well-known fact that the crossing of two fine flowers does not 
always ensure a fine offspring. In practice it is often quite the contrary 
that happens, as there is such a thing as reversion, and often to the most 
primitive forms. The laws of nature in this respect are remarkable, and 
most of the best hybrids have appeared as isolated specimens in a batch of 
inferior seedlings, while some have been raised more by accident than any- 
thing else. There are many instances of two albinos producing coloured 
seedlings, and of highly-coloured parents producing offspring of the most 
ordinary shades, but with such a mixed parentage as many of the modern 
hybrids possess it is what we must expect. Some of the characters seem 
to conflict, and no certain rules can be laid down. 
To my mind, it is courting failure to cross dark and light forms together, 
and when one purposes making a cross they should well consider the results 
aimed at. With regard to these I would suggest, firstly, size, as a flower 
to-day, to be any good, must be large; secondly, colour, either light or 
dark ; thirdly, shape and form. It is upon these lines that improvements 
may be looked for, and then chiefly as surprises. Some particular species 
and hybrids make better parents than others, and it is by a close study of 
those which have produced fine offspring in the past that we can best ps 
to effect improvements on existing kinds. J.T.B. 
WINTER-FLOWERING CYPRIPEDIUMS. 
I agree with you that the day of the Cypripedium is not over. It has 
to begin—but not until we put less stress on the huge insigne crosses, and 
encourage more colours of the possible gil cee range in giving awards- 
JoHN CROMBLEHOLME. 
