58 



'IHl'! ORCHID WORLD. 



[December, 1915. 



A hybrid of equal utility is L.-C. Martinetti 

 (Mossiae X tenebrosa), also dating from 1899. 

 The flowers are often of reddish tints, and 

 distinct in point of coloration from the 

 majority of Laelio-Cattleyas. 



L.-C. luminosa (aurea x tenebrosa) is now 

 by no means common. Years ago, when 

 the supply was plentiful, many remarkable 

 varieties were to be seen, but it is questionable 

 whether these plants are still in cultivation. 

 This hybrid is always decorative, and will 

 continue in demand on account of its 

 beautiful and uncommon coloration, which 

 may be briefly described a golden, shaded 

 with bronze-red tints. It was first seen in 

 flower in 190 1. 



Cattleya Miss Williaims. — Messrs. 

 Stuart Low and Co. have produced a pure 

 white variety of this useful hybrid by crossing 

 C. Gaskelliana alba " Richd. Ashworth " with 

 C. Loddigesii alba " Stanley's var." The 

 seed, sown about three years ago, germinated 

 rapidly, and the plants have made continual 

 growth at a surprising rate. The flower may 

 be said to be intermediate in size and 

 formation, while all the segments are pure 

 white, excepting a light yellow area in the 

 throat. 



31j§ ^5? 



A Choice L.^:lio-Cattleya. — We have 

 received from Mr. J. Leemann, West Bank 

 House, Heaton Mersey, flowers of a hybrid 

 between L.-C. luminosa and C. aurea, which 

 are of unusually rich coloration, the sepals 

 and petals being of golden hue, and the 

 expansive labellum crimson-red, thus making 

 a striking result. Mr. S. Smith, when sending 

 the flowers, remarked that they are from 

 small plants, so their full merit is as yet 

 unseen. Doubtless, he will not be long in 

 cultivating them to the desired condition. A 

 hybrid of this parentage was exhibited at the 

 R.H.S., September loth, 191 2, by Mr. F. 

 Wellesley under the name L.-C. Mrs. Donal 

 MacMaster, and on October 8th of the 

 same year by Mr. H. S. Goodson as L.-C. 

 Carmencita. 



A SUCCESSFUL AMATEUR. 



1HAVE just had the privilege of inspecting 

 one of the most perfect object-lessons 

 in Orchid culture which has ever come 

 under my notice. This is the collection 

 owned by Mr. Clements, of The Nook, 

 Maidstone, which, although not a large one, 

 demonstrates to the full the success to be 

 attained by any amateur who, with a little 

 perseverance and thought, combined with 

 enthusiasm, may accomplish. This enthusiasm, 

 which is born of love and interest in these 

 beautiful plants, is here stamped on the 

 collection. I had heard several times about 

 Mr. Clements' collection, and the fine and 

 robust condition which the plants enjoy, but 

 I never expected to see the excellence and 

 high culture as one finds in evidence here. 

 There is an old saying that " Seeing is 

 believing," and never was this phrase more 

 exemplified. The conditon of my own little 

 collection has pleased me much, but I find I 

 must take a back seat in comparison. 



First of all, let me remark that no profes- 

 sional assistance is obtained, except that of 

 Mrs. Clements, who is as enthusiastic as her 

 husband. All the little details pertaining to 

 their culture is discharged in turn by both as 

 occasion requires, shading, ventilation, etc. 



There are two houses of quite modest 

 pretensions, one warm, the other cool. It was 

 the latter that first came under inspection, the 

 dimensions of which are about 1 5 feet long 

 by 7 feet wide, and which, b)' the way, is 

 situated partly between two residences. There 

 is a central pathway with staging on each 

 side. One can gauge that the staging capacity 

 is not over abundant. Nevertheless, this was 

 fully occupied with a mixed collection of 

 Orchids suited to the temperature maintained. 



I was astonished at the vigour of the plants, 

 comprising many Odontoglossum hybrids and 

 species, making huge bulbs and growths, and, 

 judging by the spikes visible, they will make 

 a superb show presently. Cymbidiums, full 

 of foliage, indicating large bulbs and plenty 

 of bloom. Lycastes were in similar condition. 

 At the warmest end a fine lot of Cypripediums 

 were evidently quite at home, judging bv 



