Feprvuary, 1913 | THE ORCHID REVIEW. st 
their Mendelian friends tell them that that is only the application of 
genetics to Orchid breeding.—Ep.| 
———+>-0<- 
ORCHIDS: A GOLD MEDAL GROUP. 
WE have received from Mr. Edward Clement, Maidstone, a photograph of 
a fine group of Orchids which gained a Gold Medal at the Maidstone 
Chrysanthemum and Flower Show held in November last, together with a 
cutting from a local paper. Our readers will probably remember the very 
interesting notes from Mr. Clement which appeared at pp. 8 and 43 of our 
last volume. Mr. Clement writes: I have continued to persevere, and 
early last spring put up another small greenhouse, to feet by 8 feet, quite a 
home-made affair, but it seems to answer the purpose. My little collection 
now numbers about 220 plants. We still have no gardener, and the work 
is entirely done by my wife and myself; moreover it does not interfere with 
my hours at business or my wife’s domestic duties. The newspaper cutting 
is as follows : 
“Mr. Clement’s exhibit of Orchids was one of the features of the show,. 
forming a tastefully arranged bank at the market buildings end of the Corn 
Exchange. To the ordinary observer Orchids are Orchids, but the true 
Orchidist revels in classification, and to the initiated this beautiful bank of 
blooms, peeping out from a setting of ferns and palms, as well as their own 
foliage, resolved themselves into Cattleyas, Cattleya hybrids, Lzliocattleyas,. 
Odontoglossums, Odontoglossum hybrids, Epidendrums, Cypripediums, 
Cypripedium hybrids, Vandas, and Odontiodas. The group attracted much 
interested attention, and the judges readily awarded it the Gold Medal. 
The gem of the collection was the hybrid Cypripedium Baron Schréder,. 
which was conspicuous for shape and beauty, and particularly for its rich, 
dark colouring. Several of the “ baby’? Orchids were in flower for the 
first time, the blooms never having been seen before in this country. To- 
Mr. and Mrs. Clement, who had tended the plants with so much care and 
attention, the greatest credit is due, and in this connection it may be 
pointed out that Orchid-growing does not involve grave difficulties in 
cultivation, the installation of expensive or elaborate equipment, or the 
employment of a gardener with expert knowledge of the art. Mr. and 
Mrs. Clement have raised their plants in quite ordinary glass houses,,. 
unaided by costly apparatus. Constant care, intelligent application, and 
enthusiasm have won for them the success they deserve.” 
The photograph shows a very effective group and some well-grown 
examples, which can be readily identified by the aid of alens. Mr. and. 
Mrs. Clement must be congratulated on their success, and it should 
encourage others who have commenced the delightful hobby of Orchid-- 
growing with inexpensive appliances. 
