6oo 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



it is only the scarce kinds that fetch high prices. By the outlay 

 of a few pounds a collection may be procured that will give 

 flowers throughout the year. This fact cannot be too firmly 

 impressed upon the amateur, as the articles that are constantly 

 appearing in the lay Press on the subject of "valuable plants" 

 are so ridiculous and liable to mislead those not acquainted 

 with the value of Orchids. 



With but few exceptions the most suitable place for the culture 

 of Cypripediums is the cool intermediate house. They are best 

 grown in well-drained pots or pans, using a potting compost 

 of two parts peat and one part sphagnum. They require a 

 liberal amount of moisture throughout the year, both at the 

 roots and in the atmosphere. Space here does not allow of a 

 selection being made : a visit to a good collection will be the 



Fig. 381. — Cypripedium Chapmanii magnificum. 



best guide in choosing desirable varieties. Many of the species 

 and varieties are sufficiently hardy to be cultivated successfully in a 

 cool greenhouse. Fig. 376 represents the well-known C. insigne 

 SandercB, one of the most beautiful of the yellow Cypripediums ; 



