102 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [ APRIL, 1903. 
time. Some other interesting crosses have been sown, and a number of 
maturing capsules promise further results. These include many Odonto- 
glossums, and one cross, O. pulchellum X cirrhosum, of which the seed 
has just been sown, was made with the view of enhancing the perfume, so 
that it will be interesting to watch the result, if seedlings are obtained. 
Leaf-compost was tried on a small scale last season, and the results 
were satisfactory in every case, so that this year the practice is being 
extended. Mr. Davy uses one-half oak leaves of the previous year (not 
mould), rubbing them through a half-inch sieve, the other half consisting of 
good fibrous peat, sphagnum, and silver sand. Loam is substituted for 
peat in the case of Cypripedes, Cymbidiums, Lycastes, and Coelogynes. A 
spout can is not used for watering, it being found that moistening the sur- 
face with a fine rose and damping between the pots is sufficient. Perforated 
pots and pans are considered the best for all plants in this compost. 
As in all collections, certain subjects prove refractory, chiefly, no doubt, 
through the proper conditions not having been supplied, and it is thought 
that a little space might be devoted to such subjects, especially when a 
successful method of treatment has been discovered. Some of our readers 
may have useful experience of this kind to communicate. 
PAPHIOPEDILUM FAIRRIEANUM. 
WITH reference to the question respecting Paphiopedilum Fairrieanum, 
raised at page 66, it may be interesting to record that this little gem 
flowered in the collection of Mr. R. H. Measures, The Woodlands, Streat- 
ham, in 1890. I visited that collection on November 8th of that year, and 
made a drawing of the entire plant, which I still have in my sketch book. 
There were three distinct growths and seven strong healthy leaves on the 
plant, which was grown in a large thumb pot. Only one flower was pro- 
duced, but it was of a fairly good size, being just three inches from the tip 
of the upper sepal to the point of the slipper, while the width was 1} inches. 
from petal to petal in their natural upturned state. J. WEATHERS. 
Isleworth. 
At the meeting of the Scientific Committee of the R.H.S. held on 
February 24th last the following communication was read from Mr. James 
Douglas :— 
CYPRIPEDIUM FAIRRIEANUM Hysrips.—Some remarks were made at @ 
_ recent meeting of the Committee on crossing Cypripediums, anda mis- 
understanding arose thereupon. _It was stated as a fact, and so far as lam 
aware the statement is correct, that hybrids of C. Fairrieanum will not cross 
with each other. C. Fairrieanum isa very scarce plant in Britain ; except 
a small plant in the collection of the President of the R.H.S.I am not 
