go 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



[January, 1916. 



the creams to the lovely yellows, as insigne 

 Sanderae and many of its h) brids ; on again, 

 right through light browns and chestnuts, 

 shades of rose colour to purple and crimson- 

 browns. What an array of beauty ! 



Very prominent, too, are the huge dorsal 

 sepals of some of the present-day hybrids, 

 with their delicate tracery and coloration. 

 Remarkable, also, is the development of the 

 lower sepal, both in size and markings, some 

 nearl)- approaching the dimensions of the 

 dorsal and forming a delightful background 

 to the pouch, increasing the beauty of the 

 whole flower. I wonder what some of our 

 earlier hybridists would say to present-day 

 results in this genus. 



Among the aristocrats I noted Cypripedium 

 tnumphans var. Jules Hye, with a very dark 

 dorsal ; Elatior and a fine spotted variety of 

 eboraicum ; also Connie (Fairrieanum x 

 glaucophyllum), possessing the beauty of both 

 parents. Quite a giant is Prewettii x Gaston 

 Bultel, measuring 5 inches across the petals 

 and 3 inches across the dorsal sepal. Queen 

 Elizabeth, one of the latest ; Royal George, 

 truly regal in size and colour ; and Myson 

 (Mrs. Mostyn x Fairrieanum). A lovely thing 

 is Regina (Leeanum x Fairrieanum), of light 

 colour ; while there are numerous varieties of 

 Thalia, all from the same seed-pod. 



Is it not remarkable the influence that 

 Fairrieanum exercises over all its offspring, 

 right down to the third and fourth generation, 

 and the more so considering the weak 

 constitution of this species, which, in former 

 days, was considered of difficult culture. 

 Many Dreadnoughts were here keeping guard 

 over their smaller brethren, conscious as it 

 were of their power and majesty against all 

 comers. The Cambridge Lodge variety of 

 Leander, although an old one, still holds its 

 own ; and very beautiful is a variety of 

 Leander, obtained by crossing Leeanum 

 Purity with villosum auriferum ; while 

 Monarch var. Victory holds its head m 

 triumph. We must not omit the elegant 

 Maudise, of which there is a goodly array, also 

 Rossettii, and so one could go on enumerating, 

 seemingly an endless task. 



More than enough has been penned to 



con\ ey an idea of the'representative character 

 of the collection of Cypripediums to be found 

 here, and, furthermore, there are some sections 

 I have not attempted to remark upon. One 

 more point to which I must call attention is 

 that for weeks to come many seedlings will 

 be producing their first bloom from the first 

 seedling growth, and the interest attached to 

 this will be great. 



In conclusion, let me appeal again to 

 would-be beginners m Orchid growing, do 

 try a few Cypripediums. They are inexpen- 

 sive, will grow into value, give a maximum of 

 pleasure with a minimum of trouble, a kind of 

 trouble which melts away into enthusiasm of 

 the first order if your heart is in it. Their 

 ea.sy culture should be a great inducement 

 towards making Cypripediums popular, and 

 yet this is not the only point in their attrac- 

 tiveness, the quaint forms and individual 

 beauty of the flowers being co-ordinate with 

 the lovely foliage of many species and 

 hybrids, thus enhancing their unquestionable 

 decorative value. 



I trust these few notes may fall across the 

 path of someone who may be induced to try 

 his or her hand at growing Cyps. That being 

 so, the writer will be more than repaid for 

 this small endeavour to encourage Orchid 

 growing. 



One of the finest displa)-s of Cattleya 

 Maggie Raphael is now to be seen at Orchid- 

 hurst, some 200 or more blooms being 

 expanded, and which will continue for some 

 time to come as fresh plants take their place. 

 Truly a magnificent sight. One would have 

 to travel a long way to find its equal, both in 

 point of quantity and quality. Some have 

 ruby coloured lips, others ranging from purple 

 to light rose, and all possessing good aurea 

 throats. Not the least of the merits of this 

 array are the beautiful wide arching 

 shoulders, well set back, of the snow-white 

 petals, combined with substance and perfume, 

 thus giving this Cattleya a distinctive 

 character all its own. Although it has been 

 m commerce for some years it still occupies a 

 place in the front rank. If any reader desires 

 a feast of beautiful flowers, let him " go and 

 see." — H. A. Fanner. 



