THE ORCHID REVIEW. 301 
Cypripediums are decidedly in fashion at present, and will, I think, 
continue to be so, if due care is taken to weed out the large number of 
named seedling varieties that are too much alike, and, on the other hand, 
to increase the many fine and lasting forms that bloom in winter. No 
flower is more lasting, and none more beautiful when cut and arranged with 
coloured leaves, whether croton or autumnal foliage, and light and suitable 
fern sprays; so that I look forward to the Cypripedium becoming a high- 
class florist’s flower, coming in after the chrysanthemum and before the 
daffodil. : 
Cypripedium insigne is, in its finest forms, the very best of all the tribe; 
there may, doubtless, be others still more quaint or more grand, but none 
more beautiful when a really fine variety is chosen and grown on. To 
enumerate all the grand varieties of this species would be a serious task, 
and when the hybrids in which its blood is most evident are added, I am 
sure fully one-half of the most desirable Cypripediums would be included. 
C. insigne Sandere must figure at the very top of the list. There are 
several nearly as exquisite, but even C. i. Ernesti, C. 1. Sanderianum, and 
other lovely forms do not quite touch its clear brilliance of white and gold. 
C. i. Chantinii is still the loveliest of the purple spotted forms, and is 
now abundant enough for everyone to possess a plant. Yet this has all 
sprung from one clump, imported not so very long ago—a proof of the 
excellent constitution of this species. The modern montanum forms have 
done more to popularise C. insigne than anything else, for it is among them 
that all the newest brilliant coloured forms have appeared. 
C. i. Maulei is another old favourite, but I do not think it is any longer 
worth special mention. There are better forms. The poorest form of C 
insigne, almost entirely green and brown, with a small white tip, should 
certainly be excluded by those who like bright and pretty flowers. 
In striking contrast to this, I would name C. Rothschildianum (or 
Elliottianum), magnificent in its tall four- or even five-flowered spikes, of 
striped red-brown and straw-white flowers, with fiercely spreading 
moustache-like petals, that sometimes. curl upwards at the tips full nine 
inches apart from each other. A noble plant for a hot stove, but requiring 
considerable heat to grow it well. Certainly the king of Cypripediums 
when well grown. 
C. Stonei, with its wonderful form, C. s. platytenium, is also very 
handsome, but the length of time it takes before a ‘“‘lead’’ flowers, is much 
against this species. As far as my experience goes I find it takes six years 
before a young growth flowers, while C. Rothschildianum takes only two—a 
strong argument in favour of the latter. ; 
Cypripedium Spicerianum is another species no one should be without ; Its 
bright purple-banded white dorsal sepal is always attractive, and there 1s less 
variation in this species than any I know of. Easily grown, flowering in 
