42 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [FEBRUARY, I915. 
an idea of their quality when it is mentioned that the dorsal sepal of the 
last-named measures slightly over 2} inches across. Then follows a series 
of secondary hybrids, including the richly-coloured C. Euryades splendens, 
C. Minos Youngii, C. Bruno var. nobile (Leeanum X Spicerianum), most 
like an enlarged Spicerianum, C. Actaus Hessle var., C. Ville de Paris, C. 
Earl of Tankerville, the rare C. Queen Alexandra Hessle var., C. Dread 
nought, and three seedlings raised in the collection from C. Insigne 
Harefield Hall var. x Polletianum, most like the former, and one of them 
like a glorified edition of it. There are a few others, mostly well-known 
kinds, which we have not enumerated. 
Mr. Barker has already described his method of culture in our pages, for 
it may be remembered that he wrote the Calendar of Operations from 1911 
to 1913. It is also interesting to add that he recently gained the Gold 
Medal offered by the Journal of Horticulture for an essay on Cypripedium 
insigne, and we have to thank the Editor for permission to reproduce the 
same in our pages, also for the opportunity of giving Mr. Barker’s portrait 
(see page 41). The following is the essay :— 
CYPRIPEDIUM: INSIGNE. 
Since its introduction about the year 1819 few plants have been so 
extensively grown or proved of such horticultural value as Cypripedium 
insigne and its varieties. Originally discovered by Dr. Wallich, in the 
Sylhet district of North-east India, it flowered for the first time in this 
country in the Liverpool Botanic Garden in the autumn of 1820; it has 
been discovered subsequently by other collectors in different districts, 
hence the many varieties. 
It is grown in almost every garden which contains a greenhouse, and 
under whatsoever conditions rarely fails to produce flowers. I have seen it 
grown under almost every condition imaginable—in windows, greenhouses, 
and stoves, and always it flourished. Plants growing under adverse 
conditions do not, of course, produce blossoms of the best quality ; neither 
are they so effective either on the plants or in acut state. The flowers, 
which are most varied, adapt themselves to almost every kind of decorative 
work, and are much prized during the dull, dark days of winter. : 
The flowering season of C. insigne extends from the early part of 
October until the end of February, and may be even prolonged by placing 
the plants in cooler quarters, and then again into heat some little time 
before the flowers are required. It may be grown as large specimens, or aS 
small plants for decoration, for which the long-lasting properties of the 
flowers render it extremely valuable. 
To those who reside near our great industrial centres; where fogs prevail 
and the atmosphere is heavily charged with obnoxious matters, these plants 
are indispensable, as they succeed where many others fail to grow. 
