March.'] GREEN-HOUSE — REPOTTING. 245 
years, the habits and beauties of the plant are improved a 
hundred-fold, and those who are only acquainted with the 
old sorts would be transported with a view of the dazzling 
and beauteous colony of the new kinds that have been pro- 
cured by hybridizing those of good habit and character. 
The best method to adopt in impregnating these is to 
choose the female, one that has large flowers, of easy culti- 
vation, and as nearly allied in character and other habits as 
possible. When a flower of the intended female is newly 
expanded, take a pair of very fine-pointed scissors, and cut 
off the anthers before the pollen expands ; then, as soon as 
the summit of the style divides, apply the pollen taken 
from the anthers of the intended male plant on a very fine 
camel hair-pencil, or cut out the stigma entirely, and place 
the anther on the summit of the style, which, if correctly 
done, will have the desired effect. As soon as the seed is 
ripe, sow it in light sandy soil ; and when it has come up, 
take care not to over-water the soil, which would cause them 
to damp off. When they are about one inch high, put them 
into small pots, and treat as the other varieties. Have them 
all distinctly marked until they flower, which will be in the 
second year from the time of sowing. 
The tuberous and fleshy stemmed species are very interest- 
ing to the discriminating inquirer. Their habit and constitu- 
tion are so peculiar that we have frequently wondered that 
they have not been separated into distinct genera. The cul- 
tivation of them is more difficult, water being very prejudi- 
cial to them when they are inactive. If they are well 
managed, they flower beautifully, and the colours are very 
superior and peculiar, having frequently bright green and 
purple in the same flower. 
The following list comprehends the most desirable varieties 
that we have seen : — 
21* 
