I02 



THE ORCHID WORLD. 



[February, 1916. 



Jasper (eburneo-Lowianum x Parishii) ; and 

 Seamewi (FAnsonii x Parishii), all of them 

 raised in the collection of Lieut.-Col. Sir 

 George Holford, K.C.V.O. 



MODERN CYPRIPEDIUMS. 



IN regard to the later productions in 

 Cypripediums, I want to have a grumble, 

 and draw attention to a point which 

 appears to me to be getting rather " mad." 

 We are well on in the Cypripedium season, 

 and, upon reflection, after what I have seen 

 at the shows and elsewhere, I have come to 

 the conclusion that the large Cypripediums of 

 later introduction are positively ugly. It is 

 treason so to speak, and I shall, I feel sure, 

 be cried down for such a statement. However, 

 I zvill venture. 



Just for a moment think of the line of 

 perfection for Cypripediums, which seems to 

 be adopted — large dorsal, large flower 

 generally, and perhaps general recognition of 

 good form, but any thought of colour, 

 definitely disposed, seems quite m the back- 

 ground of qualification. For instance, Alci- 

 biades Illustre, a large flower truly, but could 

 anyone with unbiased mind call it pretty? 

 What about its colour ? Is it not very much 

 wanting ? Again, Cyp. King George. Well, I 

 do not consider that ideal, it does not compare 

 favourably with other lesser-sized flowers. I 

 feel that the absorbing and leading idea of 

 immense size of the dorsal sepal is not by any 

 means finally desirable, if it overbalances 

 other admirable qualities. 



A good flower of Reeling's Leeanum, to 

 my mind, surpasses both of those I have 

 mentioned. In it you have a charming and 

 graceful form of the whole flower, ample 

 richness of colour, and markings well disposed 

 and pleasing. It may be but a matter of taste, 

 although I quite think there is more in it than 

 that. I shall be laughed at, I feel certain, for 

 making such a comparison, but, considered 

 temperately and with cool judgment, I am 

 confident of my attitude on this point. 



Elatior Rex, again, is reckoned one of the 

 good sorts, and although it has colour and 



markings, the top edge of the dorsal is flabby 

 and detracts from its 'grace. Consequently, a 

 good Thalia, which is similarly coloured and 

 marked, is, to my mind, preferable. Our old 

 friend insigne Harefield Hall is, perhaps, the 

 best variety of this species, but many flowers 

 I see of it are " milky " and weak in colour, 

 so that a lesser flower more definite in colour 

 would be nicer. Some varieties of Hera 

 (Boxallii atratum x Leeanum Chnkaberry- 

 anum) are ones which I hold up as meritorious 

 by reason of their fairly good shape, and 

 especially for their brilliance of colour. 



Thompsonii is, I think, an excellent 

 specimen of a C} pripedium ; and another 

 which I feel is a highly satisfactory flower is 

 Maurice (Salheri x aureum). Here one has a 

 fairly large flower, not excessive, well disposed 

 parts, reasonabl)' wide dorsal, and beautifully 

 coloured golden-)'ellow, with a touch of brown 

 m it, which makes it richer, and markings 

 sufficient to give interest and variety. 

 Personally, I should prefer this any day of 

 the week to Alcibiades Illustre, King George, 

 Shogun, etc. Such is my bad taste ! Of 

 course, I am speaking from an aesthetic point 

 of view, and not from one of mere value. 



Let us admire " size " by all means, but to 

 put it before form and colour is a mistake. 

 Good general form, combined with colour, 

 either " self " or well disposed, is surely ideal. 

 On the other hand, let us put " whites " of 

 good form, like Maurice and Clinkaberry- 

 anum, on a higher plane for our estimation 

 than those whose only recommendation is 

 abnormal size in some particular segment. — 

 Alf. J . Paine, W anstead. 



L.ELIO-Cattleya LydiA.— One of the 

 brightest of the yellow-flowenng Laelio- 

 Cattleyas, this decorative h\'bnd between L. 

 Cowanii and C. Gaskelliana alba has a 

 remarkable uniformity of colour, every 

 segment being entirely bright canary-yellow, 

 both back and front. A six-flowered spike 

 comes from the collection of Mr. J. J. Neale 

 (gr. Mr. Haddon), Lynwood, Penarth, who 

 also sends a four-flowered spike of L.-C. La 

 Prance (C. bicolor x L. tenebrosa), of rosy- 

 ^ mauve colour, the elongated lip dark purple. 



