240 ABOUT ORCHIDS. 
and generous by union with Phal. grandifiora, 
without losing its dainty tones. 
It is worth mention that the first Flora medal 
offered by the Royal Horticultural Society for 
a seedling—a hybrid—in open competition was 
won by Lelia Arnoldiana in 1891; the same 
variety took the first prize in 1892. It was raised 
by Messrs. Sander from JL. purpurata X Cait. 
labiata ; seed sown 1881, flowered 1891. 
And now for the actual process by which these 
most desirable results, and ten thousand others, 
may be obtained. I shall not speak upon my own 
authority, which the universe has no reason to 
trust. Let us observe the methods practised in the 
sreat establishment of Mr. Sander at St. Albans, 
Remark, in the first place, the low, unshaded 
range of houses devoted to hybridization, a con- 
trast to those lofty structures, a hundred yards 
long or more, where plants merely flourish 
and bloom. Their span roofs one may touch 
with the hand, and their glass is always newly 
cleaned. The first and last demand of the 
hybridizer is light—light—eternally light. Want 
of it stands at the bottom of all his disappoint- 
ments, perhaps. The very great majority of 
orchids, such as I refer to, have their home in the 
tropics ; even the “ cool” Odontoglots and Masde- 
