J:inu;iry, 1915.] 



'I'lii': ORCHID \\()Ri,i). 



79 



choice of plants best suited to Ins facilities 

 and pocket ; at least, this has hren niy 

 experience. 



When I be<4'an 1 found myself in possession 

 of a snnall greenhouse, 15 feet \)y /\ feet, 

 situated partly between two dwelling houses 

 and condemned by niy predecessors as 

 useless for growing anything. Now, 1 had 

 never before possessed a greenhouse of any 

 sort, and this struck me as being better than 

 nothing, so during a week at odd moments it 

 was rendered sweet and clean. ' Friends here 

 and there gave me a few plants, rather 

 mixed, perhaps, but among the lot were two 

 old Orchids — Cypripediums — known to me 

 then as the Slipper Orchid ; nevertheless they 

 were Orchids and my desire to grow them 

 was at once aroused. When, however, I 

 mentioned my ambition it was met with the 

 usual cold-water type of remark that emanates 

 chiefly from those who have not tried to grow 

 Orchids ; as a result my ardour was damped, 

 for I knew 1 could not afford either the time 

 or expense suggested to be necessary. 

 However, the idea of being beaten was 

 repugnant, and as fools step in where angels 

 fear to tread I persevered. Gradually the 

 ordinary plants in the house disappeared to 

 be replaced by Orchids ; a few were bought 

 and some were sent me direct from their 

 native home, many of which have been 

 divided and redivided until my little cool 

 house is full, with the result there is nearly 

 always something m flower, including a fair 

 variety of species. 



Now when 1 mention that my business 

 demands 65-70 hours a week of my time and 

 that 1 do not employ labour on my Orchids, 

 it is quite evident that the fallacy of a lot of 

 attention being necessary is at once dispelled. 

 Orchids in their natural habitat are not 

 attended with the help of mankind, but 

 Nature supplies them with atmospheric 

 conditions suitable to their requirements. 

 Study this and carry it out as near as possible 

 in the house. Many invaluable hints may be 

 gleaned from the ORCHID WORLD as to 

 treatment, etc. ; utilise this with a grain of 

 thought and success is assured. There are 

 times at different seasons when a little extra 



water to tlic ])lants and dainpnig d<;wn are 

 re(iuired, also the blinds drawn to restrict the 

 burning rays of the sun. This extra attention 

 ni my case is executed by my wife ; it onl)' 

 means a few minutes and does not in any 

 way interfere with domestic duties, for where 

 there is a will there is a way. 



['inally, what is more soothing to a business 

 man after the toil of the day than to stroll 

 into the precincts of his hobby for a quiet 

 half-hour and study these — the most beautiful 

 and wonderful of all flowers, with their 

 curious forms, marvellous and varied colour- 

 ing, and in many instances long durability, 

 and imbibe their grand yet peaceful influence. 

 — Tidzvnrd Clement, Maidstone. 



NEW HYBRIDS. 



Cypripedium Ruby Queen. — The result 

 of crossing Calypso (Boxallii x Spicerianum) 

 and Beryl (Mrs. Mostyn x Beeckmanii). 

 Flower richly coloured, partaking of the fine 

 dorsal sepal seen in Mrs. Mostyn. Raised by- 

 Messrs. Sander and Sons. 



Cypripedium Cavalier. — An excellent 

 hybrid between Hera (Boxallii x Leeanum) 

 and Earl of Tankerville. Raised by Messrs. 

 Sander and Sons. 



Cattleya Raphael. — A very attractive 

 autumn flowering hybrid between Hardyana 

 and Portia, the round shape of Bowringiana, 

 derived through the latter parent, giving the 

 flower excellent formation. Raised by Messrs. 

 Stuart Low and Co. 



L.elio-Cattleya Uranus. — The result 

 of crossing L.-C. Geo. Woodhams (Hardyana 

 X purpurata) with C. Gaskelliana. The 

 flowers show much variation, the dark 

 labellum being a good feature. Raised by 

 Messrs. Stuart Low and Co. 



Cypripedium Dixmude. -An elegant 

 flower with large dorsal sepal prettily spotted 

 with rose-purple. Messrs. Sander and Sons 

 are the raisers, the parents being Leeanum 

 and Thalia. 



Cypripedium Ypres. — A pleasing flower 

 resulting from the use of Moonbeam and 

 Leeanum, Messrs. Sander and Sons being 



