SEPTEMBER, 1y03.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 277 
ORCHID HYBRIDISATION. 
(Continued from page 254.) 
A Goop deal might be written as to the selection of parents, but in many 
small collections there is not always a wealth of material to choose from, 
and one has to make such crosses as are available at the time. And it may 
be added that most of the popular species which flower together have 
already been crossed in some of the numerous establishments which are 
more or less devoted to hybridising. Again, certain crosses are not worth 
making from a purely commercial standpoint. It has sometimes been said 
that a hybrid is two good species spoilt, and though the statement, like 
many other generalisations, is far too sweeping, there are cases which would 
justify it. ; 
For example, Paphiopedilum barbatum and P. Spicerianum are both 
handsome things, with a good deal of character of their own, but when 
crossed together they yield a hybrid which can hardly be called attractive, 
namely P. X Eyermanianum. The characters of the two parents are so 
diverse that they seem to neutralise each other. A similar remark would 
apply to P. insigne and barbatum, for many forms of P. x Ashburtone are 
very inferior from a decorative standpoint, though vigorous and floriferous 
enough. But the intercrossing of P. insigne and P. Spicerianum has 
yielded one of the most useful decorative plants which has yet been raised, 
namely P. X Leeanum, and we immediately note that the characters of the 
two parents are not such as might be expected to neutralise each other. 
Of course one cannot always foresee what the result of a given cross 
will be, but it is generally possible to form a sort of rough idea, especially 
at the present day, when the results of so many experiments are already 
known. It is true that certain apparently promising crosses have proved 
disappointing for some reason or other, and that others have yielded better 
results than was anticipated, but the existing records may be utilised by the 
hybridist as a guide for future experiments. 
Some crosses might be repeated with advantage, using the very best 
forms of the species that could be obtained, and thus affording an oppor- 
tunity for the production of superior varieties. Especially is this the case 
with hybrids that are not easily propagated, some of which remain rare. 
It is becoming increasingly difficult to break new ground in certain groups, 
so that the hybridist should be prepared to utilise whatever opportunities 
present themselves, if they appear sufficiently promising. In one way, 
however, the work will always be progressive, for the hybrids themselves 
may often be utilised as parents, and here a very promising field for future 
work presents itself, especially if combined with judicious selection. In 
this way the beginner may avail himself of the work of his predecessors. Of 
