HYBRIDISING AND RAISING ORCHID SEEDLINGS. 
THE Orchid Stud-Book would not be complete without a chapter on 
hybridising and the raising of Orchid seedlings, and as the work will 
doubtless appeal to beginners as well as to the expert hybridist, we will 
commence with the most elementary details. 
HYBRIDISING is one of the most fascinating phases of Orchid culture. 
Every stage in the work is interesting—the pollination of the flower, the 
development of the capsule, the sowing and germination of the seeds, and 
the gradual development of the seedlings from the tiniest atom up to the 
time when the scape pushes up and the flower at length unfolds. Few 
Orchidists can resist the attempt to raise at least a few seedlings, but one 
must be prepared for disappointments, and it is this particular stage of the 
process which generally proves the most difficult. Once surmounted the 
rest iseasy, and the next difficulty may be that of finding the necessary 
space for the plants as they approach the flowering stage. But we will not 
anticipate. 
THE MaTeErtALs.—No elaborate preparations are necessary. Such 
materials as are ready to hand will serve as a commencement, but it would 
be well to begin with some easy subject, proceeding to more difficult ones 
as experience is gained. A Cypripede or Cattleya is easily manipulated, 
but an Epidendrum of the radicans group, though more troublesome to 
cross, is an ideal subject in other respects, for the seedlings can be raised 
almost with certainty, as they germinate quickly, and begin to flower when 
under three years old. Two or three subjects might very well be tried 
together for a commencement, using whatever subjects are available. Later 
on a rigid selection of parents will be found desirable, but even at the outset 
the best possible forms should be used. 
METHOD OF PROCEDURE.—Before commencing it is advisable that the 
operator should thoroughly understand the floral structure, by pulling a few 
flowers to pieces and identifying the pollen masses and stigma. In the 
majority of Orchids the pollen masses will be found under a little case at the 
apex of the column, and they may be easily removed with a pencil, a piece 
of stick, orin some cases with a finger, by lifting the case gently but firmly 
upwards and then withdrawing it, when the pollen masses will generally be 
found adhering to it. In the case of a Cypripede two pollen masses will be 
found—not enclosed in a case at the apex of the column—but one opposite 
to each lateral opening at the base of the lip. The pollen is viscous, and is 
easily removed with a pencil or piece of stick, but if the flower is to be 
fertilised both the anthers should be cut clean away. The stigma is generally 
XXXiii. 
