76 
THE ORCHID WORLD. 
[January, 1913. 
too early in the season. Light increases 
the richness of the bkie ; heavy shading 
reduces the colour. 
Anyone who could discover a successful 
method of growing Miltonia spectabilis would 
receive the thanks of all amateurs and those 
hybridists who were attempting to make use 
of its wonderful colour. 
Amateurs frequently attempt to grow too 
many kinds of Orchids in the same house. 
Certain methods will grow one class but kill 
another. 
THE NOMENCLATURE OF 
CYPRIPEDIUMS. 
THE recent article on the nomenclature 
of Cypiipediums advocated the giving 
of but one name to all hybrids 
inheriting the characters of the same species, 
and additional varietal names for the various 
forms. 
The Rev. J. Crombleholme, however, in 
carefully commenting upon the proposed 
r.omenclature, shows, arithmetically, that it is 
possible for one Cypripedium aureum to con- 
tain i2/i6ths insigne, and another to contain 
l4/i6ths Spicerianum, and asks, therefore, 
" would not such a system be illogical and 
unscientific." 
But Prof. Keeble in his recent lecture at 
the Orchid Conference on the " Physiology of 
Fertilisation " regarded this system of frac- 
tional parentage as one likely to lead us 
further astray, for although it may be correct 
arithmetically, it is not so in a practical way. 
Major Hurst is also of the same opinion, for 
he stated at the same Conference that the 
common practice of analysing Orchid hybrids 
in fractional terms is to be deprecated, as in 
most cases these must be erroneous. The 
simple fact of the segregation of characters 
in the second generation altogether upsets 
such calculations. 
One, therefore, cannot but help forming 
the logical conclusion that there is much of 
real scientific value in the suggestion to 
amend our system of nomenclature to a 
style more m accordance with Nature's 
doctrine of evolution. SOUTHERNER. 
JANUARY. 
January may well be termed the most 
trying time for Orchid growers, at least so 
far as England and many parts of the 
Continent are concerned. It is true that 
most of the damp and dull days of late 
autumn and winter have passed t'way, but 
these have gone only to give place to others 
which try our patience very severely and 
almost to breaking point. An amateur who 
is truly fond of his plants — and there are 
but few who are not — oftentimes overdoes 
his kindness towards them, and his best 
endeavours to assist them through this almost 
lifeless period are not always conducive to 
their well-being. 
In almost all phases of nature we notice 
the same inclination to pass into a quiet 
cessation from action of any kind. All that 
apparently takes place is the smallest amount 
of energy required to support the life of 
the individual until lengthening and brighter 
clays return with their accustomed regularity. 
The summer that we in this country 
experience may be almost tropical so far as 
sunshine and heat are concerned, or it may 
be arctic with regard to the many sunless 
and cold days experienced. Even its arrival 
IS uncertain ; one genial day may be followed 
by another as inclement as those of mid- 
winter, while yet another may vary in its 
temperature hourly. Yet all these varying 
changes bring us, sooner or later, tc the 
growing season of our Orchids. 
Therefore, it behoves every one of us to 
have all our plants in that healthy and 
favourable condition so essential to immediate 
beneficial effect being obtained directly the 
turn of the season brings us the return of 
summer, or, in more appropriate language, 
the annual recurrence of our correct cultural 
atmosphere 
Nothing is more detrimental to Orchids 
than to allow the plants to remain forgotten, 
generally in an unsuitable place, during the 
winter-time. Many amateurs, especially those 
with little experience, imagine that Orchids 
will accommodate themselves to any con- 
ditions of jitmosphere and temperature. But 
such is not the case. 
