THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
VOL. XIX MARCH, togtt. [No. 219. 
OUR NOTE BOOK. 
Nor long ago a correspondent wrote deploring the modern craze for hybrids, 
because it led to neglect of the species. There is something in the remark, 
but can we wonder that hybrids are popular when we see the marvellous 
advances that are being made? Hybridisation and selection are working 
wonders in our collections. Improvements in shape and colour are apparent 
on every hand, while constitution and floriferousness seem to be among the 
predominant characteristics of many hybrids. There is also the fascination 
of the work, and the perennial charm of novelty, with the possibility of 
raising something striking. It is little wonder that hybrids are becoming 
increasingly popular. mires 
The appearance of another instalment of the Orchid Stud-Book, devoted 
to the genus Odontioda, illustrates very well the possibilities of the work of 
hybridisation. Less than seven years ago what was not inaptly termed a 
“scarlet Odontoglossum ” was exhibited by M. Ch. Vuylsteke at the Temple 
Show, under the name of Odontioda Vuylstekez, and not unnaturally created 
a sensation. At once a new field of possibilities was opened, and hybridists 
were not slow in availing themselves of it. But the work had already begun, 
for just three years later Messrs. Charlesworth exhibited their first seedling 
_ from the same cross, and by this time they had flowered three others. They 
were QO. heatonensis (C. sanguinea X O. cirrhosum), in March, 1906, 
O. Bohnhoffiz (C. vulcanica X O. cirrhosum), in the September following, 
and O. Bradshawie (C. Neetzliana x O.crispum), in January, 1907. The 
number has since increased to nearly thirty, and Odontioda now occupies a 
very prominent place in our collections. The future no one can foretell, 
but last year the secondary hybrids of O. Vuylstekez began to flower, and 
now number four, all of them raised by M. Vuylsteke. 
One of these is a hybrid with Miltonia vexillaria, thus introducing a 
further development, to which the new rule of the R.H.S. for the nomen- 
clature of multigeneric hybrids was applied, and the plant is now known as 
Vuylstekeara insignis. Its appearance opens up almost untold possibilities, 
und further developments will be awaited with interest. 
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