oe | 3d ne 344) 
The Orchid ‘Review ~ . 
by ie XXIV. AucusT, 1916. No. 284. ie) 
ES | OUR NOTE BOOK. BES 
N interesting article on Colour Standardisation, by Mr. D. F. Kerr, has 
just appeared in the Gardener’s Chronicle (pp. 32, 44) and it suggests 
a discussion on one of the greatest needs of the modern Orchidist, now 
that the original colours of the species have been so much extended and 
mixed by hybridisation. It reduces one to despair to give an intelligible 
account of the new varieties and hybrids that continually appear at our 
horticultural meetings, and the impressions of those whose chief knowledge 
of them is obtained by reading would sometimes be interesting. ‘‘Colour,”’ 
Mr. Kerr remarks, ‘‘ appeals to every human being and belongs of right to 
all who love joy-giving knowledge. Colour discrimination has its value in 
every walk of life and in all art and science. Let us classify and name 
colours on simple, intelligible lines, before the professional experts get hold 
of the subject and try to lock it up as supposed occult knowledge, and 
quarrel among themselves over names; for colour is new as a science 
though old as an art.”” Some subsequent remarks ‘suggest that the advice 
comes a little late. 
Among other considerations he advances the opinion that every science 
must be international for its development, and a natural science, especially, 
can only do its best work through links between naturalists of diverse 
nations. He believes that any colour chart not based on the Ridgway 
method would be retrograde, and acclaims it as good news that Dr. 
Ridgway has agreed to promote a colour chart adapted to a wider use, for 
the production of a universally-understood colour guide would. do many 
things for us, especially when we should become familiar with it through 
a little colour-testing practice. 
It would appear that what is quite as much wanted as a good colour 
chart is a system of nomenclature which all could understand, and here 
there is plenty of scope for improvement. He remarks: “‘ We need all the 
colour names that are both well-known and accurate, and the less known 
should be both explainable and explained.’ But his final remark, ‘“ Let us 
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