Mal 
28. 
20 
fan ™ 
standing the smallness of the structural organs, and that the easiness of its culture 
permits seedlings to be raised without much difficulty. 
At the time of his death, Mr. Amss’s beautiful collection had already produced 
a certain number of novelties and very interesting seedlings, and promised to 
give a great impulse to orchid growing in the United States. In this respect his 
death has been a great loss, but there still exist in that country several fine 
collections, conducted in an excellent manner, and from these much may yet be 
expected. 
(Continued from p. 12) 
foresight of a hybridiser consists in estimating approximately the probable results of the 
combination of two varieties or two species, and not to cross those of which the particular 
form, colour, size, or appearance may, when commingled, not produce a harmonious 
result, or indicate a decided advance on the two parents. 
Just as good raisers seek for modifications in the case of domestic animals by the 
most perfect reproducers, or by those of which they desire to fix certain characters 
‘peculiar to the breed, so in the hybridisation of Orchids the raiser should restrict himself 
only to choice varieties for seed bearing or pollen producing purposes. 
For a beginner possessed by the demon of hybridisation, it is unfortunately almost 
impossible to resist the temptation to fertilise even two second rate varieties one with 
the other when in bloom at the same time, as his still limited collection does not permit 
of recourse to select varieties. ‘ 
It should not however be forgotten that the history of hybridisation already presents 
numerous examples of crosses effected with the same species in several collections, some 
of which are much superior to others owing to the better choice of parents. It is well 
known that Cypripedium insigne Chantinii has constantly given more beautiful results than 
the ordinary C. insigne from the same cross, and most of the highly-esteemed sub- 
varieties, to the varietal names of which laudatory adjectives are appended, owe their 
superiority to the same cause. Another art of the hybridist consists in keeping count of 
the choice seed-bearers not only those of select varieties but also of the health and 
vigour of the plant. 
If fructification in nature is not prejudicial to the plant, being the accomplishment 
of a natural function and the final object in view from which all phases of vegetation 
proceed, it is not less true that in our houses and under our climate it is always a source 
of fatigue, and may exhaust beyond recovery a weak or only semi-established plant. 
What will the future of orchid hybridisation be? In my opinion it is almost without 
limit and will exercise considerable influence on collections. 
When one sees the degree of perfection in form and size, and the diversity in colour, 
to which the persevering will of man has brought all the genera upon which he has 
operated, such as Roses, Gladioli, Pansies, Fuchsias, Dahlias, Begonias, Cannas, 
Chrysanthemums, etc., — when modern varieties are compared with the primitive types 
found in nature, it cannot be doubted that a similar effort of patience and intelligence 
_ would be successful in obtaining as marvellous results among Orchids. And in the Orchid 
(Continued on p. 16) 
VU 
Us 
eu 
