44 COOL ORCHID GaOWIXG. 



enlarges rapidly after fertilisation; the capsules of PhalaenoiDsis, 

 which are rarely half an inch long before that takes place, 

 attain a length of from 4 to 6 inches, and the thickness of the 

 little finger, in about sixty days after that has taken place 

 and contain many hundreds of minute ovules. The great 

 difficulty, however, does not lie in the mere fertilisation, but in 

 obtaining a fair percentage of good seed ; and, as before men- 

 tioned, it is requisite for the parent plant to be in the highest 

 state of health, in order to produce seed in good condition. 



After many careful experiments, I have come to the 

 conclusion that perfect seeds are produced much more rarely 

 than is generally supposed ; indeed, I believe Orchids produce 

 good seed but very seldom, and to this may be attributed the 

 man yf allures that cultivators have experienced in their attempts 

 to raise hybrids. When Orchid seeds are obtained, they should 

 be examined under a good microscope ; if they are perfect, 

 the nucleus ought to be seen beneath the translucent, mem- 

 branous, reticulated testa or seed coat. If the nucleus is not 

 developed, it is useless to expect germination to take place ; 

 we might as well expect to obtain a batch of young Ferns after 

 having sown the empty spore-cases, which last is far from 

 being an uncommon occurrence. Not forgetting what has 

 already been achieved in the way of hybrids, it will be generally 

 admitted that as cultivators we have still much to learn, in so 

 far as the raising of Orchids from seed is concerned. That 

 which has already been done in this direction ought to induce 

 those who have the opportunity to undertake more extended 

 researches — take, for example, * Calanthe Yeitchii, one of the 

 most beautiful Orchids at present in cultivation, or * Cattleya 

 exoniensis, together with * Cypripedium Harrisianura, or 

 * Cypripedium (Selenipedium) Dominianum. Two growers at 

 least have succeeded in rearing seedling plants of the beautiful 

 and rare Cypripedium (Selenipedium) Schlimii, viz., M. Leroy, 



