40 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
aud its hybrids are now beginning, and many of these are large < 
brilliantly coloured. D. x Ainsworthii and its numerous forms and allies, 
in whose origin D. aureum has played a part, now form quite a large yi : 
and for vigour, floriferousness, and beauty of colouring, leave little to 
desired. D. Wardianum is also flowering freely. Others are following on, 
and will keep the house gay for some time to come. ee 
sesquipedale and the graceful Platyclinis glumacea are also too effectt 
just now to be passed over. “4 
The Cool house is gradually improving as the Odontoglossums a 
come into flower, among the less common ones being the violet O. Edwardil, 
O. pulchellum, and O.tripudians. O. x Andersonianum and its numeri 
varieties are beginning to flower, and the more familiar species are 
brightened up by Masdevallia ignea and the brilliant Sophronitis cane 
Among the most effective of the Paphiopedilums just now may 
mentioned X Lathamianum, x Calypso, xX Harrisianum, callosum, 
venustum, villosum, Boxallii, x Williamsii, Argus, callosum, purpuratum, 
; : aes , e have 
X nitens and its varieties, and many others, in fact more than w 
space to enumerate. 
HYBRIDISING PAPHIOPEDILUMS. 
Is this injurious to the seed-bearing plant? I read in a most interesting 
article which appeared in the March number of the Orchid Review for 1898 
(p. 69), that a discussion took place so long ago as 1882 in which this very — 
question was introduced. After an experience of about seven years, I have — 
come to the conclusion that the operation, when confined to strong, well- : 
developed plants, is not materially injurious, and that no perceptible : 
deterioration takes place. On the other hand, I am afraid that injury, 
sometimes ending in death, is often the result of hybridising young plants — 
_of only one or two growths. 
In my own collection, Paphiopedilum x Harrisianum superbum — 
(Veitch’s variety) is an instance of the former class, for from 1893 to the 
present date, scarcely a flower has escaped the operation, and the plant — 
appears as healthy and vigorous as ever, having largely increased in number 
of growths. As instances of the latter class 
P. ciliolare, 
- X Georg Kittel, and P. x Orpheus vat 
In all these cases the growths have been few, and the result — 
ising them has been a severe check, and 
It is a curious fact that the seed pod of P. Vo 
ripen than many others, 
I quote from my hybridisin 
in some instances death. 
lonteanum takes longer t? i 
and is therefore a greater drain on the plant- | 
8 tecord:—P. Volonteanum ¢ x P. bellatulum ¢3 
