572 
THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Orchid Hybridisation—continued. 
country in which Orchids are appreciated but that contain 
seedlings of some of the different species. Continental and 
American horticulturists have also developed the work 
successfully. 
There are many in the past who have hesitated and 
delayed experimenting in raising seedlings. One of the 
principal reasons for this delay has been the common 
but erroneous notion that it takes practically a lifetime 
before the plants raised from seed may be induced to 
flower. Tine, it has taken over twenty years in the 
bygone days to induce plants to flower, but it must not 
be overlooked that horticulturists generally have many 
facilities afforded which were not vouchsafed to our fore- 
fathers ; and with the more advanced principles to assist 
us, we are enabled to considerably minimise the time that 
elapses between the sowing of the seed and the flowering 
of the plants. 
The writer of these notes has been successful in flowering 
plants in two years from the time of sowing the seed, and 
there are very few indeed of the large family of Orchids 
which, with proper treatment, would require more than 
five or six years to reach the flowering st2ge. The injury 
caused to plants used for Hybridisation purposes has been 
another detrimental consideration to the development of 
the general spread of Hybridisation. There is no denying 
that in many cases the strain of fructification does con- 
siderably distress the plants, and it freqnently takes two 
or three years for plants so affected to regain their normal 
conditions ; but surely if a crop of seedlings are procured 
there is ample repayment for the sacrifice of the mother- 
plant. The more general practice of Hybridisation is 
sufficient illustration to indicate that most of these un- 
favourable considerations are now being overcome. 
SeELEctiInG Puants. The chief thing to be considered in 
the selection of the seed-bearing parent is general good 
health and condition. One cannot expect to procure satis- 
factory seeds from plants having weakly constitution, or 
that are in a condition that they are unable to retain their 
seed-pods for the lengthened period required for them to 
develop and mature their seeds. Plants in an unsuitable 
condition quickly show signs of the strain placed upon 
them, by the early shrivelling and sinking of the psendo- 
bulbs. Although the seed-pod may go on for the full 
period usually required for development, it will be found 
that at the time of bursting very little, if any, seel will be 
contained in the interior, and that only a fluffy substance, 
very light in colour, remains. To get satisfactory 
results, therefore, it is advisable to give due consideration 
to the condition of each plant before using it for Hybridi- 
sation purposes. 
The selection of species must also be considered. It is 
useless to expect satisfactory results unless some little 
forethought is given. Superior kinds should be selected, and 
those widely distinct from each other. It does not always 
follow that the superior qualities of one parent will atone 
for the shortcomings of the other into which it has been 
erossed. As an illustration of this, we would draw atten- 
tion to the fact that Cypripediwm Spicerianum, one of the 
finest species of the genus, has been used as one of the 
parents in the production of over one hundred distinct 
crosses, yet it would be difficult indeed to select a dozen 
among these which are of exceptional merit. 
In the selection of parents to produce new varieties, we 
would suggest that the list of hybrids contained at the 
end of each of the genera should be used as a guide to 
that end, and also for the reproduction of those varieties 
which have already appeared and which have proved of 
sterling merit. There is a wide field of possibilities still 
open to the hybridist in the direction of bigeneric hybrids. 
With the exception of Cypripediums, the construction of 
the flowers in almost the whole of the Orchid genera is 
favourable to the production of seedlings by cross ferti- 
lisation. The efforts in this direction, although limited up 
to the present, have produced satisfactory results: one of 
the finest of these is to be found in Epiphronites Veitchii. 
Most SurrasLe TIME FOR F®RTILISING THE FLOWERS. 
During the bright months of the year (March to 
September) there need be very little consideration given 
to this matter, but for choice we should advise the 
morning portion of the day for the purpose. During the 
daller months of the year we prefer operating when the 
sunlight is strongest, from, say, ten to two o'clock, 
Owing” to the prevalence of dull weather in the winter 
Orchid Hybridisation—continued. 
months, especially in the fall of the year, it is a difficult 
matter to attain suecess, for after the flower has been 
fertilised the decaying portions of the segments 
frequently convey decomposition to the more sensitive 
portions of the flowers after fructification has considerably 
advanced, causing the whole to rot. 
PERIOD BETWEEN FERTILISATION AND FRUCTIFICATION. 
There can be no doubt but that here, as in other 
members of the Vegetable Kingdom, fructification 
commences immediately the sexual portions of the flowers 
are bronght together. In the ease of Oncidiums, 
Cattleyas, Lelias, Odontoglossums, &c., the segments of the 
flowers begin to wither within a few hours. In fact, we 
have observed that insects coming into contact with the 
stigma frequently set up sufficient irritation to canse the 
flower to wither and decay. 
TREATMENT AFTER FERTILISATION. To procure good 
seed it is advisable that the plants carrying seed-vessels 
should be afforded every encouragement that will be likely 
to assist in its production. One of the principal con- 
siderations, therefore, is that they should be afforded 
all the available light. It is not necessary to place the 
plants in such a position that the direct rays of the sun 
may destroy the foliage and otherwise unduly distress 
them ; but at the same time, every encouragement must 
be given that will assist them to properly ripen the pods, 
or good seed cannot possibly be procured. A position 
near the roof-glass generally satisfies their requirements 
in this direction. 
The period that elapses between fertilisation and the 
ripening of the seed-pods differs very considerably. In 
the case of the South American Selenipediums, a few 
months suffice for the pods to reach maturity; but with 
Fic, 608. ORCHID SEEDLINGS GERMINATING (Two Months). 
Cattleyas and Cypripediums, from nine to fifteen months 
elapse before the seed-vessels are mature, which is 
indicated by the bursting of the pod. The longer the 
seed-pod remains on the plants, the greater are the 
possibilities of procuring good seeds. As soon as it is 
discovered that the seed-pods are bursting, they should be 
carefully tied up in tissue-paper, so that the seed, should 
it drop, may be secured. It generally takes a considerable 
time for the outer portions of the seed-pods to become 
dry, especially if allowed to remain on the plants. It is 
advisable, therefore, to remove them from the plants, 
and place them under such favourable conditions as may 
facilitate the ripening process. The seed will be ready 
for sowing as soon as it can easily be shaken ont of the 
pod. 
MetHops or Sowina Seep. The old system of 
sowing the seed of Orchids on an established plant of 
the same genera, is one that is most satisfactory in 
