MnrcJl.~\ GREEN-HOUSE REPOTTING. 247 



Orion, Virgin Queen, and others; indeed, within these few 

 years, the habits and beauties of the plant are improved a 

 hundred fold, and those who are only acquainted with the old 

 sorts would be transported with a view of the dazzling and 

 beauteous colony of the new kinds that have been procured 

 by hybridizing those of good habit and character. 



The best method to adopt in impregnating these is to choose 

 the female, one that has large flowers, of easy cultivation, and 

 as nearly allied in character and other habits as possible. 

 When a flower of the intended female is newly expanded, 

 take a pair of very fine-pointed scissors, and cut off the 

 anthers before the pollen expands; then, as soon as the 

 summit of the style divides, apply the pollen taken from the 

 anthers of the intended male plant on a very fine camel hair- 

 pencil, or cut out the stigma entirely, and place the anther on 

 the summit of the style, which, if correctly done, will have 

 the desired effect. As soon as the seed is ripe sow it in light 

 sandy soil ; and when it has come up, take care not to over- 

 water the soil, which would cause them to damp off. When 

 they are about one inch high, put them into small pots, and 

 treat as the other varieties. Have them all distinctly marked 

 until they flower, which will be in the second year from the 

 time of sowing. 



The tuberous and fleshy stemmed species are very interest- 

 ing to the discriminating inquirer. Their habit and constitu- 

 tion are so peculiar that we have frequently wondered that 

 they have not been separated into distinct genera. The cul- 

 tivation of them is more difficult, water being very prejudi- 

 cial to them when they are inactive. If they are well 

 managed, they flower beautifully, and the colours are very 

 superior and peculiar, having frequently bright green and 

 purple in the same flower. 



The following list comprehends the most desirable varieties 

 that we have seen : 



