30 STOVE PLANTS. 



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Gloxinias, Oesnerias, Ericas, Azaleas, Amaryllis, Dipladenias, 

 and many others ; and lastly, though not least, the Orchids 

 themselves, for these are yielding to the power of the 

 hybridiser, as may be seen in such cases as Catlleya 

 cxoniensis, Calanthe Veitchii, and many others. 



In setting about the raising of either hybrids or varieties, 

 the operator should set before him a definite and settled 

 purpose, for if promiscuous seedlings are reared a great loss 

 of time will ensue, seeing that good results from such cross- 

 ings cannot be expected. If, on the other hand, every cross 

 is made with some special object in view, the chances are 

 that better results will reward the operator. To amateurs 

 this pursuit offers a splendid field for enterprise, possessing 

 as it does the charm of novelty, and invested as it is with 

 the greatest interest. Those who devote themselves to the 

 production of new forms of flowers, have several things to 

 take into consideration, and must carefully note the results 

 of each particular experiment, in order to enable them either 

 to prosecute a successful effort, or to warn them to desist if 

 a wrong track has been entered on. 



Among the things to be worked for, in either hybrids 

 or varieties, are improvements in colour, shape, size, and 

 substance of the blooms, in the form, size, texture, or 

 marking of the leaves, or in the habit of growth and the 

 prolificacy of blossoms — this latter, the securing of free- 

 flowering properties, being of the highest importance in the 

 case of decorative plants. We have always found that in 

 crossing plants, the seedlings are more prone to follow the 

 colour of the male parent, and the habit and style of growth 

 of ihe female. Therefore, if the result desired be richer 

 and brighter colours, the paler of the two parents should 

 be made the seed producer; We had a striking example a 

 few years ago, in the case of some Gloxinias, of the influ- 



