4 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
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PAPHIOPEDIUM SEED AND THE TIME TO SOW IT. 
Under the above heading, a table was given in the Orchid Review for 
January last (page 7), showing the result of sowing Paphiopedium seed in 
the various months throughout a series of years, 1892 to 1897 inclusive. 
As sowings up to the very end of December, 1897, were included, this 
table was necessarily incomplete, further successes being practically certain. 
Another twelve months having now passed, I think it may reasonably be 
brought to a conclusion, for any further discoveries would not be likely to 
materially alter the position. 
During the year 1898, my gardener, Mr. Thomas J. Poyntz, has shown 
me 46 new batches of Paphiopedium seedlings, 29 of which are the results 
of sowings prior to the 1st January, 1898. If these further successes are 
added to the old list, a revised table should read as follows :— 
Table showing the number of, successful sowings of Paphiopedium seed, 
during the months specified, in the years 1892 to 1897 inclusive. 
January 72 sowings 28 batches of seedlings. 
Fepmmary. 24. ? ‘3 
March ao 6 i 
April iy Z es 
May Thc by eee 
June FO eg 2 " 
July 13 us Oey 
August 31 va 4 ” 
September 33 __,, 7 os 
October 44, 13 s 
November 99 _,, 24 . 
December 102 . 38 
This seems to confirm the opinion previously expressed: that the winter 
months are not in any way detrimental to the sowing of Paphiopedium 
seed. The percentage of success is somewhat improved, and I am happy to 
state that the improvement belongs chiefly to the last three years, the 46 
batches in one year being the best result I have yet obtained, the average 
sowings being 116 per annum for the years 1895, 1896, and 1897. 
If I may be permitted to offer an opinion as to the cause of greater 
success, I would attribute it to the fact that, for the last few years, I have 
invariably sown the seed on recently potted plants, the materials used being 
the best sphagnum moss and Orchid peat obtainable. Under these circum- 
stances, the compost remains sweet and fresh for a considerable period, and 
not only do the seedlings come up in a healthier condition, but I am enabled 
to leave them on their original bed until they have gained sufficient strength 
to better stand removal. REGINALD YOUNG. 
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