THE ORCMIt) WORLD. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Jaiiiuu'}' jrd, lyi i. 
Members of the Orchid Committee present : 
J. Gurney Fowler, Esq. (in the chan), and 
Messrs. James O'Brien (hon. sec), R. G. 
Thwaites, W. Cobb, F. J. Hanbury, A. Dye, 
Stuart Low, Gurney Wilson, W. H. Hatcher, 
de B. Crawshay, H. Little, F. M. Ogilvie, 
H. G. Alexander, J. Cypher, C. H. Curtis, 
W. H. White and J. Wilson Potter. 
Considering the time of year and the frosty 
w^eather, there was a remarkably good show 
of orchids. The Gold Medal was awarded to 
Messrs. Armstrong" and Brown, of Tunbridge 
Wells, for a superb group of Cypnpediums 
extending the entire length of the end of the 
hall and containing more than 500 orchids, all 
of which were splendidly grown. In the 
centre w'as a fine specimen of Cypripedium 
Beeckmanii, surrounded by other choice 
varieties, including Mrs. Mostyn, insigne King- 
Edward VII., Maudias magnificum, and Thalia 
Mrs. F. Wellesley. At other prominent places 
we noticed Cypripediums Venus, Helen II., 
Thalia gigantea and Berryanum, the latter 
having a fine dorsal marked w'ith large spots. 
New Cypnpediums included Amboyna, Dau- 
phine and Captain Spender Clay ; while some 
of the older varieties, such as insigne Hare- 
field Hall, Sanderae and triumphans, were 
shown in excellent condition. Cypripedium 
insigne corrugatum is of the old Sylhetense 
type, but has several curious corrugations on 
the labellum. The Orchidhurst variety of 
insigne is noted for its bold flower and large 
white band bordering the dorsal sepal. The 
group had an educational value by having 
many of the somewhat similar varieties 
grouped together ; in this way they could 
easily be compared. More than 600 ferns and 
about 70 palms were used in this group for 
decorative effect. 
Lieut.-Col. Sir George L.Holford, K.C.V.O., 
Westonbirt (gr. Mr. H. G. Alexander), sent 
Cypripedium Nydia (Niobe x Charlesianum), 
with a well-formed flower having a broad 
dorsal sepal of rosy-purple with a darker 
median streak. The petals have a drooping 
nature. A xcvy remarkable variety of La^lio- 
Cattleya Cranstounae received a First-class 
Certificate. See p. 116. 
J. Gurney Fowler, Esq., Giebelands, South 
Woodford (gr. Mr. J. Davis), exhibited the 
magnificent Cypripedium Leeanum J. Gurney 
Fowler, which received a First-class Certificate 
a few years a,go ; also the interesting Cymbi- 
dium glebelandsense (see p. 97) and Odon- 
tioda Cooksoniae (see Awards). 
R. G. Thwaites, Esq., Chessington, Christ- 
church Road, Streatham (gr. Mr. J. M. Black), 
exhibited an excellent group, which was 
awarded a Silver-gilt Flora Medal. It con- 
tained a large number of the beautiful Catt- 
leya Maggie Raphael alba (aurea x Trianae), 
which at this period of the year prove most 
useful. Several Odontioda Charlesworthii, 
Cattleya chocoensis alba, Dendrobium ches- 
singtonense, and four varieties of Sophro- 
Cattleya Saxa were included. 
Francis Wellesley, Esq., Westfieid, Woking 
(gr. Mr. Hopkins), exhibited three fine Cypri- 
pediums, viz., C. Cupid, C. Col. Riordan, with 
a distinct dorsal sepal having the upper part 
pure white, and C. Miss Alice Wallace (Pros- 
pero X Sallieri) ; this latter had greenish 
flowers, and somewhat resembled C. Rossettii. 
H. S. Goodson, Esq., Fairlawn, Putney (gr. 
Mr. G. E. Day), exhibited a small-flowered 
Odontoglossum, which was imported with 
Oncidium macranthum, and Odontoglossum 
Wiganianum Goodson's variety. 
Messrs. J. Cypher and .Sons, Cheltenham, 
were awarded a Silver Flora Medal for a good 
group of Cypripediums and other orchids, in- 
cluding Lycaste lassioglossa, several Calan- 
thes, Masdevallias Schroderiana, macrura, and 
Veitchii. All the Cypripediums were well 
flowered. 
Messrs. Charlesworth and Co., Haywards 
Heath, brought a few choice orchids, including 
a beautiful Odontoglossum Aireworth (Lam- 
beauianum x crispum Alcyone), a good variety 
of Odontoglossum crispum xanthotes, several 
Odontiodas, and a fine variety of Laelio-Catt- 
leya Bella alba (L. purpurata x C, Warneri) 
having pure white sepals and petals. 
