OCTOBER, 1903.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 203 
I might say, too, that in raising the plants true from seed, it is not wise 
to use a flower’s own pollen, but rather to get it from another plant of the same 
variety. For instance, last November I fertilized two flowers of Cattleya labiata 
Amesiana, one with its own pollen, and one with labiata R. I. Measures 
variety. The former stayed on six months only, and on being sown proved 
all chaff; the other has gone on all right. Then Cattleya Triane alba, 
self-fertilised, burst at six months, and we fear there is little chance of the 
seed being good, while Cattleya Mossia Wageneri fertilised with its own 
pollen, though hanging throughout the year, was very bad seed, and we only 
got a few seedlings. At the same time I ought to say that Dendrobium 
nobile virginale, self-fertilised, resulted in a good pod of seed, and we got a 
good many seedlings up. 
Of all the pollen we have used, too, taking it all round, I think that 
that of Brassavola Digbyana has proved the most vigorous. It gives 
splendid results ; even when put on Cattleya Dowiana aurea we got a fine 
pod of seed, and aureas as a rule are very bad seed parents. 
EmiLy THWAITES. 
ORCHIDS IN A WEST INDIAN HURRICANE. 
ORCHID cultivators in the British Islands have various difficulties to 
contend against which their more favoured brethren in the tropics 
escape, but there are some compensating advantages, and among them 
may be included the freedom from cyclonic storms, one of which is very 
graphically described by “‘W. H., Jamaica,” in a recent issue of the 
Gardeners’ Chronicle (1903, ii, pp. 201-203). A hurricane of exceptional 
violence was experienced in Jamaica on August 11th last, which worked 
almost incalculable havoc to vegetation of all kinds, as well as to shipping 
and buildings of all kinds. The Hope Gardens presented a sorry spectacle 
after the storm, and the effect on the collection of Orchids is thus 
described :— 
“The collection of imported Orchids growing on blocks and in 
baskets underneath the shade of the double row of Divi-Divi trees was sent 
flying in all directions, and the plants are terribly battered and bruised. 
This was one of the largest and most valuable collections of imported 
Orchids in the West Indies. It contained nearly all the best Cattleyas, 
Lzlias, Oncidiums, Epidendrums, Dendrobiums, Aérides, Vandas, 
Phalznopsis, Stanhopeas, etc., many of which were obtained from 
various sources in exchange for Jamaican species. The collection has 
been roughly treated and much damaged, but the plants will recover, and 
they will again delight the numerous visitors who come to see them when 
they are in flower.” 
