324 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [NOVEMBER, 1903. 
increased until in a fortnight or .three weeks the young radicle and 
cotyledon began to protrude. ‘From this period of their growth the 
young plants grow rapidly, and the rootlets lay hold of whatever materia] 
is supplied to them. If the seeds happen either accidentally or inten- 
tionally to be made to vegetate on bare wood, as in some instances has 
been the case here, the young roots extend themselves in different direc- 
‘tions, adhering closely to the bark, and make great progress compared 
with the growth of the stems, thus affording beautiful examples of the 
manner in which epiphytical plants fix themselves so firmly on the higher 
boughs of lofty trees in tropical forests. 
“The principal difficulty to contend with in rearing the young 
seedlings has been found to consist in their treatment during the first 
year, particularly the winter months, when they are very liable to perish, 
if anything approaching to extremes of moisture, drought, cold, or even 
heat be permitted; though a steady medium of all these requisites is 
necessary. The second year’s growth has been one during which the 
plants made much progress, and the only two kinds which have been 
brought to a flowering stage have bloomed the third season. These are 
Epidendrum crassifolium and Phaius albus, the latter being now in 
flower, exactly three years from the sowing of the seeds.” 
This article brought a note from Mr. J. Cole, gardener to J. Willmore, 
Esq., Oldford, near Birmingham, in which he stated (p. 582) :—‘* My 
employer informs me that Bletia Tankervillz: was some years since obtained 
from seed sown in common soil; also Epidendrum elongatum, sown on @ 
block of wood covered with moss.” But he then goes on to say, ‘I have 
sown other sorts of Orchids at various times and in different ways, but 
without success.” He then goes on to speak of experiments he had made in 
hybridising Orchids, as follows :—* A few have been hybridised successfully 
here, so far as obtaining seed to all appearances perfect is concerned ; and 
it has been sown, but it did not vegetate. Cattleya labiata was crossed 
with C. guttata, and swelled its pod; Calanthe yeratrifolia with Bletia 
Tankerville; Dendrobium moniliforme with other Dendrobes; and 
Stanhopea Wardii with one of the other Stanhopeas.” 
Mr. Richard Gallier, gardener to J. Tildesley, Esq., West Bromwich, 
also described a very interesting experiment made by himself. He remarks 
(p. 661) :—‘* Dendrobium nobile crossed with D. chrysanthum produced me 
a pod of seed, and when the latter appeared to be ripe, I sowed it in three 
ways.” The details need not be given, suffice it to say that two methods: 
Seve ho result, but from the third five plants appeared, which seemed to be 
doing well until about four months old, when they were removed from 
es a bell glass and suspended from the roof of the house, a change 
which proved disastrous, for “‘ the leaves withered and hu ng down, and in 
