34 THE ORCHID REVIEW. (FEBRUARY, 1906, 
And look at the vigour of the beautiful seedlings which now appear at 
every horticultural meeting. It is a pleasure to take charge of such plants, 
which is not always the case with imported ones. In the latter case we 
take in hand a batch of dried bulbs, and either pot them up at once or lay 
them on damp moss, until they show signs of breaking. Some start 
strongly and well, but others are weak and spindly, and a few die outright. 
Then a few spikes appear, which are either pinched out, to prevent further 
weakening the plant, or perhaps a single flower is allowed to develop just 
to see what the plant is like. The first result is usually a large pro- — 
portion of quite ordinary forms, with a few good ones, and perhaps one or © 
two surprises. The next thing is to grow them on, until they become 
thoroughly established, but they often require much care*and coaxing © 
before they become as strong as seedlings of the same size, and then only — 
do they appear healthy and happy, and a credit to the grower. Of course 
seedlings can only be grown under proper conditions, but when these are 
once secured they simply romp ahead with ordinary care. The need of 
selection comes in in both cases, but the raiser has this advantage over the 
importer than he can select the parents at the outset, and if only good 
forms are used he can await the results with confidence. Quality must — 
tell in the end, and the improvement, aided by selection, will be progres- 
sive. 
Some interesting remarks on the subject of “Nature vy. the Orchid 
Grower” have recently appeared in these columns, and among them I noticed 
one to the effect that ‘‘ somebody took Dendrobiums into a cold house in 
the winter, and everybody followed suit.” But why was it? There must 
have been some reason for the practice, or some benefit observed from it, 
or it would have been discontinued. I do not know how or when the 
— 
custom began, but it is no recent development, as it has been practised — 
with D. nobile as long as I can remember, and has since been extended to — 
some of its hybrids and allied species. And the practice is sound, for the 
complete rest which it ensures results in increased floriferousness. Further, 
it isin accordance with Nature’s teachings, for in the region where these 
plants grow naturally there is a wide range of difference between the summer 
and winter temperatures, and during the latter period the plants get a com- 
plete rest. To keep such plants in a hot stove throughout the year would 
be a wide departure from Nature’s practice. 
i But Nature does not grow all her Dendrobiums under identical condi- : 
tions, and she succeeds in each case. The grower has to take plants as he | 
finds them, and very frequently he cannot avail himself of many of the 
hints which Nature provides for his guidance. In spite of this he often 
