354 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [DECEMBER, 1915. 
At the following meeting Cypripediums were more in evidence, and 
carried off three of the six certificates awarded, these being from a select 
group of splendidly-grown plants, staged by an amateur, which also gained 
a Silver Flora Medal. They were placed, unfortunately, behind the Grille, 
and consequently did not appear to the best advantage, especially as the 
light was rather bad. One of the trade groups also, with a single exception, 
consisted of choice Cypripediums. These details are mentioned, because 
we have received more than one complaint that Cypripediums are not 
appreciated by the R.H.S. Orchid Committee—in fact, it has been seriously 
suggested that the R.H.S. should appoint a small sub-Committee of the 
cognoscentt to adjudicate upon the Cypripediums exhibited. 
There may be something in the suggestion that Cypripediums are rather 
out of fashion just now, but we believe that their value as winter-blooming 
plants is fully recognised, and at all events they are very generally 
cultivated. There are two or three reasons for an apparent want of 
popularity. Few of the species are brilliant in colour, and the extreme 
facility with which hybrids can be raised has led to the production of a 
host of seedlings, many of which can hardly be called improvements. And 
after a rigid selection has been made, they are not always shown under the 
best conditions, for they do not, as a rule, blend well with other Orchids, 
yet a number of plants staged separately, each bearing a single flower, and 
all facing the same way, as we sometimes see them, have a very formal 
appearance. This objection is largely got over when the plants are large 
enough to bear several flowers, and then only can their decorative value be 
fully appreciated. ~ 
What is now wanted is an increase in the range of colour, especially in 
the direction of rose and purple, and this is gradually being effected, partly 
through the use of the very distinct C. Charlesworthii and partly by 
continued crossing with the brightly-coloured species of the tessellated- 
leaved group and their derivates. The range of whites and yellows is also 
being extended, through C. insigne Sandere and C. niveum, which when 
united gave the beautiful C. Venus var. Boltonii, a sterling acquisition that 
should be followed up. There is plenty of room for improvement, and the 
opportunities are not being lost. 
A reply to a correspondent at page 324 on a question of nomenclature 
has brought us further communications on the subject. It is pointed out 
that, with a few regrettable exceptions, there is a general agreement as 2 
the necessity of adopting the rules that have been adopted by international 
agrement, which in their original form were drawn up to remedy a condition 
