The Cypripediums now form a large family group, and rank amongst the most useful of Orchids that can be cultivated, since the lasting quality of their flowers, especially for exhibition and decorative purposes, is something extraordinary. Many of them in addition possess beautifully variegated foliage, as in the species we now figure, which has the leaves most distinctly marked with light and dark green. Our drawing was taken from a very fine plant in the select collection of H. M. Pollett, Esq., Fernside, Bickley, a gentleman who is a great lover of Orchids, and who has the wisdom to secure healthy young plants at the outset, in order that he may see them grow on into good specimens, such as the one now before us has done. It gives one great pleasure to see plants so well cultivated.
_Cypripedium Lawrenceanum_ has, as we have already said, beautifully marked foliage, so that even when not in blossom, it is found to be an object of attraction. The upper or dorsal sepals of the flowers were in this case three inches across, white, striped with plum-purple, which runs in curved lines from the base nearly to the margin. The petals are green along the upper edge, suffused with purple towards the end, and having black wart-like spots, and a fringe of purple hairs along the margin. The pouch or lip is large, of a reddish brown colour in front, the under and hinder part yellowish green.
These plants are best grown in pots with peat, and a little charcoal, or sometimes a little good fibrous loam mixed with the peat. It is a free-rooting species, and likes to be well elevated above the pot rim, so that its roots can penetrate readily and work freely in the rough material. The pot should be half filled with drainage, so that a good supply of moisture may be given to the roots during the growing season. The Cattleya or the East India-house seems to suit the plants well, as in these structures they grow and flower freely.
The flowers are very useful for cutting, as they will keep a long time in vases if the water is kept sweet and pure.
Baron Schröder’s Orchids.—On the occasion of a recent visit to The Dell, Staines, the seat of Baron Schröder, we had the good fortune to inspect the fine collection of Orchids which has been got together. The houses are well built, after the plans of Mr. Ballantyne, the gardener, and are placed in good positions; not only have the ventilation and heating power been well considered, but cleanliness also; indeed the arrangement of the houses leaves nothing to be desired. The Orchids were, at the time, looking remarkably well. Entering the Phalænopsis house we noticed a fine plant in flower of the rare and beautiful _Phalænopsis intermedia Portei_, a treat which seldom falls to one’s lot, for it is a matter of regret that this splendid Phalænopsis is so rare in collections: it must be very scarce in its native habitat or collectors would surely find it oftener. _Cypripedium Spicerianum_ was also flowering here. Several different species of _Nepenthes_ were in fine character, growing above a tank, with their pitchers gracefully drooping over the water, in which position they seemed to be quite at home. In this house were also some grand plants of different species of _Saccolabium_, _Cypripedium_, &c., all doing well. Leaving the Phalænopsis house the Cattleya house, which runs at right angles to it, is next entered. Here we noticed a gigantic specimen of _Cattleya exoniensis_, carrying several spikes of flower; _Lælia autumnalis atrorubens_, with grand spikes, and flowers of unusual size and fine colour; and _Dendrobium Wardianum_ in full beauty, suspended from the roof. The Cattleyas, &c., in this house were in grand condition, and bid fair to produce some fine spikes next season. In the Odontoglossum house _Zygopetalum Gautieri_ was flowering well, also _Miltonia candida_ and _Sophronitis grandiflora_. The East Indian Orchids were in an especially healthy condition, the collection containing some grand specimens of _Vanda_, _Aërides_, and _Saccolabium_.