52 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
with very distinct species, but the enthusiast will not be deterred by a few 
failures, which will only stimulate him to renewed exertions. Perseverance 
and a good stock of patience will prove of the utmost service to the Orchid 
hybridist. 
The selection of parents is a most important matter, and one in which 
there is room for the exercise of much individual taste and judgment. A 
few cardinal points, however, should always be kept in view. The object 
of the hybridist is, or should be, to raise a plant which in some respects 
shall be an improvement on its parents or shall exhibit some new and 
attractive feature. It may be desirable to introduce increased vigour into 
some particular plant, by crossing it with another which has the desired 
quality. Generally speaking this is best effected by using the stronger 
grower as the seed parent, though this rule is not an invariable one. 
None but healthy, well-established plants should ever be used as the seed 
parent ; and the best possible varieties of both should always be selected. 
Colours which neutralise each other are also best avoided. Several examples 
might be cited in this connection, but one will suffice :—Cattleya citrino- 
intermedia was derived from the species whose name it bears, and though 
extremely interesting because of the great difference between the parents, 
is not very attractive in point of colour. 
A few groups single themselves out for special mention. Thus Sophro- 
nitis grandiflora might be crossed with almost any of the Cattleyas and 
Lzlias which flower at the same time of year; and the same may be said 
of the rare and remarkable Lelia Digbyana. L. pumila is also a very 
promising parent. Cypripedium Fairieanum has been used many times, 
and always with good results; while C. niveum, C. concolor, and C. 
bellatulum are also very promising plants for further experiments. Seleni- 
pedium Schlimii has been a potent factor in the development of those 
charming plants S. x Sedeni and its allies, of which more will yet be 
heard. Dendrobium nobile has a very good record in this respect, also 
Cypripedium Spicerianum, and a variety of others could easily be 
enumerated. 
Several recent introductions are worthy of attention, on account of good 
qualities they possess; indeed, we believe several crosses have been made 
which may yield noteworthy results. 
A considerable number of hybrids have themselves been used as parents, 
and from the best of these, combined with judicious selection, some striking 
acquisitions may be anticipated. Much as has been done, we believe that 
Orchid hybridisation is yet in its infancy, and the next few years may 
witness some remarkable developments among the thousands of seedlings 
now progressing towards the flowering stage in various collections. 
(To be continued.) 
