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collections by the side of its predecessors. The genus Catasetum, which, twelve 
years ago was considered to be composed entirely of botanical curiosities, has 
suddenly found itself promoted to a high rank among the most ornamental 
orchids. This mark of favour has had the happy effect of dissipating the unfor- 
tunate prejudice which had enveloped Catasetums, namely, that they were very 
difficult plants to keep alive in Europe. Now, when every one grows them, it is 
perceived that they are no more difficult to cultivate than Dendrobiums. 
THE HYBRIDISATION OF ORCHIDS 
In the Orchid Enquiry recently instituted by the Fournal des Orchidées the following 
question occurs : “ Do you hybridise, and what influence do you think hybridisation 
will exercise on the taste for Orchids and on the composition of collections? , 
A few years ago this would have been regarded as an indiscreet question and 
would not have had much chance of receiving a reply as the art of hybridising was 
still confined to a very small number. Jealously guarding their secret, hybridisers shrank 
like the alchemists of old from the gaze of profane eyes to practise their mysterious 
arts, and to consummate the great work which should transmute the baser metals 
into pure gold. 
But to-day the art of hybridising has become part of the ordinary routine, and there 
is scarcely an amateur who is not enticed by the hope of producing wonders. Indeed 
does not hybridising provide for the orchidist that amount of fancy and illusion in 
which man at all ages likes to dabble — in youth, to idealise his dreams of the 
future; in old age to forget the mortifications of the past? Does it not bestow upon 
him the legitimate pride of a creative power? 
No amateur would dream of comparing the undoubtedly keen satisfaction expe- 
rienced at the discovery of a rare variety among an importation, with the most 
profound delight he displays when the first flower of his seedling has opened. 
Orchidists should therefore be deeply grateful to the fathers of hybridisation — 
to Dr. Harris who conceived the idea, to Dominy and SepEN who where the first 
to put it into practice, and who thus opened up the way to a legion of actual raisers 
in procuring for them an inexhaustible source of ever new delights. 
But alas! if the artificial fertilisation of Orchids and the production of fertile 
seeds are comparatively easy for a careful worker, and if the germination of these 
seeds take place with but little trouble, it is not quite the same in regard to the 
rearing of the young plants. The mortality in infancy, that plague of humanity 
carries out its ravages in a not less implacable fashion among Orchids. What Sean 
has not seen vanish in a few hours all the hopes cherished during years of assiduous 
care? He has watched during long months the swelling of the pod and the ripening 
of the seed. Having carefully gathered the seeds, he makes sure of their fertility 
(for there are now no novices who sow the husks of the unfertilised ovules and are 
astonished at not seeing them germinate) confides them to a compost more or less 
suitable, and at the end of a reasonable number of weeks, he has the satisfaction 
(Continued on p. 12) 
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