THE ORCHID REVIEW. 19 
is the chief trouble of the hybridist, as it compels him to sow large 
quantities of seed. Nevertheless, these generally unproductive capsules 
must be looked after, for often there are a few good seeds among a great 
deal of chaff, and often he is rewarded for his care and attention by an 
unexpectedly good hybrid. 
While the capsules are forming, it is best to hang up the bearing plants, 
and as soon as the ripening capsules show signs of splitting, remove them, 
and place each in a separate pan, the label bearing the record being put 
with each. As soon as ripe, it is best to sow the seed forthwith, no matter 
what the season is, for the seeds are so very delicate that there is more risk 
in keeping them than in taking the chances of their not germinating for a 
long time. It is generally admitted that the seeds stand the best chance of 
germinating if they are sown on the surface of the compost in which the 
plant which bore the seed is growing, or on one of a similar character. 
Before sowing, the materials should be thoroughly moistened by being 
immersed in rain-water, and afterwards hung up to drain away superflous 
moisture, and the seeds sown on the moist surface. The basket or pot 
should then be hung to the rafters in a moist, temperate house, and on every 
occasion when the plant is given water afterwards it should be done by 
immersing it in a tub or tank only deep enough to wet the materials to two 
thirds of its depth, otherwise the seeds will be floated off and lost, and, 
seeing that the materials never become quite dry, these are very important 
points. 
The germinating seeds are seen as minute, spherical green bodies, and as 
soon as any of them get large enough to lift, they should be pricked off 
round the edges of previously prepared small Orchid-pans, and again 
suspended near to the roof.’ Ata later period they should be potted singly, 
and in due time such as survive will become flowering plants. 
As it is not possible to suspend a large number of small seedlings, it is 
a good plan to raise a small light woodwork staging near the glass on which 
to place the little plants, as, so situated, the effect is the same as if they 
were hanging up. 
The methods indicated above are generally carried out more or less by 
all successful Orchid hybridists, and most of the latter assert that for 
general purposes they constitute the chief elements of success, although in 
different establishments different devices—generally very different ones— 
for forming surfaces on which to sow the seed may be found. In some 
places cross-sections of hardwood sticks cut about an inch thick, and placed 
in moisture-holding pans so that the seeds may be sown on the rough 
surface, which is kept constantly moist from below, areused. In other 
gardens pieces of tree-fern stems in pans of water are tried, and so on with 
other moisture-holding materials. There is yet another material which, by 
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