376 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 8. 1890.. 
greatest future triumphs of horticulture must be looked for in the 
rep dts of methodical hybridising. It is, however, essential to start 
■with an object, work on a system, be patient and persevering, and 
results will ultimately come perhaps of a surprising character. 
Amongst both ornamental plants, vegetables and fruits there is 
still ample scope for experiments, and if these give nothing else 
they at least aiford considerable interest. 
In undertaking artificial hybridising or crossing the condition 
of the plants should be carefully studied. It by no means follows 
that apparently strong plants are really the best as parents, either 
as seed or pollen parents. It often happens that excessive vigour 
in plants is antagonistic to the production of good seed or strong 
and improved seedlings. The vegetative and reproductive system 
of plants seem to be in a measure opposed to each other after a 
certain stage is passed. Plants of moderate growth are invariably 
the_ best seed producers, and usually afford the best pollen also. 
This is one point that should always be kept in mind in com¬ 
mencing experiments in hybridising, and never attempt by the 
application of stimulating manures to induce excessive growth 
under the mistaken impression that an advantage -will be gained. 
If anything is required beyond that afforded by the soil iu which 
the plant is growing it should be given after the fruit or seed pod 
is swelling. At the same time weakly plants should never be 
chosen for the purpose, and in the case of rare Orchids it is dan¬ 
gerous to allow a small or improperly developed plant to bear seed, 
as the common result is the death of the parent. It requires some 
judgment to select plants in a fitting condition, b'ut it is always 
safe to select the sturdy, the well matured, and the hardier plants 
for seed parents. 
The relative effects of seed and pollen parents I have treated 
at some length in a paper on the subject read at a meeting of the 
Horticultural Club recently, and which appeared in the Journal of 
Ilorticidturc, page 234. It is only necessary to recapitulate the chief 
points of inte^’est here. One is that in some cases, especially in 
the Orchids, a complete fusion of characters takes place in nearly 
every instance where cross-fertilisation has been effected between 
species. 
Another is that in some plants. Primula sinen.sis and its varie¬ 
ties being cited as examples, the seed parent gives the majority of 
the characters inherited by the progeny. As a general rule the 
seed plant gives more of the habit and foliage, and the pollen the 
floral colouring, but there are many exceptions to this in different 
families of plants. 
To produce a definite result close interbreeding sometimes 
becomes necessary, but simply to induce variation and secure as 
rnany distinct forms as possible it is better to cross plants as 
distinct in characters as possible, and grown under different con¬ 
ditions of soil and surroundings. Eemember also what has been 
noted with regard to diverse lengths of stamens and the different 
periods at which pollen and stigma mature. All these matters have 
a direct bearing on the success or failure of experiments in 
hybridising, ft is strange also, but it is nevertheless a fact, that 
where variability is greatest in particular species of plants, the 
pollen grains are usually most diverse in ferm, and the examina¬ 
tion of pollen under a microscope of moderate power will often in 
this way indicate whether experiments are likely to prove satis¬ 
factory or not. 
Partial fertilisation, when only some of the seedlings seem to 
have been affected in their characters, and sterility when the 
seedlings resulting from a cross fail to produce seeds, are examples 
of imperfect pollen action, or are due to some constitutional differ¬ 
ences that we cannot ascertain. The greater vigour of some 
hybrids as compared with their parents is chiefly due to the 
sterility, and as a corrective to this less liberal treatment sometimes 
has a beneficial effect. 
Selection. 
In connection wfith crossing and seed-raising of all kinds, 
however, it is imperative that strict attention be given to selection, 
and it is in this that the judgment of the skilful hybridiser 
becomes most useful. It_ applies equally to the selection of parent 
plants and to the selection of seedling.s for preservation. An 
accurate knowledge must be possessed of the plants under treat¬ 
ment ; a quick eye and good power of observation detecting any 
special character that it is desirable to secure. W^herever large 
numbers of seedlings of any kind are raised the keen selector can 
often do nearly as much as the hybridiser on a smaller scale. Seed- 
sowing and ngid selection, leaving the fertilisation to the bees and 
other insects, have yielded remarkable results in many classes of 
hardy plants. 
I must conclude these imperfect references to a great subject, 
and I can only hope they may prove suggestive. Patient persever¬ 
ance and close observation are useful qualities to all men, and 
w'hether we be students of the vegetable world, experimentalists, 
or workers, these qualities are indispensable to secure a measure off 
success.—L eavis C.asti.e. 
An Exhibition of Orchids. 
Orchids have had a long period of popularity, but never at any¬ 
time in their history have they had so many admirers as noAV, and 
though some celebrated collections have been dispersed, others 
rapidly becoming equally famous are being formed, and the num¬ 
ber of cultivators is still advancing. Ample evidence is afforded 
on all sides that Orchids are not only the favourites of fashion and 
curiosities for the student, but they include in their ranks plants 
of exceptional garden value wherever beautiful flowers are prized 
and floral decoration is required of a distinct character. They are 
in fact both beautiful and useful, returning a rich harvest to cul¬ 
tivators of all grades who give them the moderate attention and' 
care needed to ensure a fair measure of success. 
Mr. William Bull of Chelsea may claim a considerable share in 
the extended popularity of Orchids in recent years, for his annual 
exhibition at the King’s Road Nursery has attracted large numbers 
of distinguished visitors, who have had their love and knowledge 
of the plants materially increased by what they have seen there- 
displayed. Beyond this, however, many have probably for the first 
time there formed an adequate idea of the diverse charms possessed 
by Orchids, and when once the enthusiasm of an amateur is well 
awakened it is not readily restrained. The display Mr. Bull pro¬ 
vides must certainly afford a surprise to any visitor who is not very 
familiar with the plants, and even those who are well acquainted 
with Orchids too rarely see them arranged so tastefully. It does- 
not seem to be generally regarded that Orchids lend themselves- 
most readily to artistic grouping, and attractive as a house or group 
of Odontoglossums or Cattleyas alone may be to a specialist, the 
uninitiated require an effect in which the diversity of form and 
colours is more strongly marked. 
Recognising the innate adaptability of Orchids for grouping 
with Ferns, Palms, and similar graceful foliage plants Mr. Bull has 
availed himself to the fullest extent of their qualities, and has 
produced this year one of the most pleasing exhibitions he has yet 
held. This was opened on May-day, and Avill be continued for the 
next two months, sufficient proof of Avhat a lengthened period 
Orchids may be made to cover, though this only represents the 
months when they can be obtained in greatest variety, for with a 
good collection of plants flowers can be had every day in the year. 
The house in the Chelsea nursery is span roof, with banks at each 
side ard in the centre, and each end being fitted with mirrors 
produces the pleasing illusion of an indefinite extension, a pro¬ 
longed vista of floral beauty. To enumerate all the Orchids 
shown would necessitate the publication of a formidable list of 
names that would after all convey a very imperfect idea of the 
effect provided. The most brilliant and richest shades of colour 
are harmonised or strikingly contrasted, and soft delicate tints are 
employed with equal judgment. Majestic Cattleyas, delicate 
Odontoglossums, and the popular Cypripediums are represented ia 
their best forms, and contribute largely to the show. Specimen 
plants of Cymbidium Loivianum, handsome DenJrobiums in many 
species and varieties, Masdevallias both beautiful and peculiar,. 
Oncidiums in their wealth of golden flowers, and scores of others 
that cannot be named now assist in making an Orchid exhibition 
that conveys a faithful idea of the family it represents. 
Orchids at Berlin. 
In the recent International Exhibition at Berlin the display of 
garden architecture is said to have constituted the chief feature,, 
but amongst plants Orchids were largely represented, chiefly from 
continental growers. Messrs. F. Sander & Co., St. Albans, were 
the only exhibitors from England, and contributed a fine group of 
over thirty specimen Cymbidium Lowianum bearing 2000 flowers ; 
200 plants of Odontoglossum vexillarium were also shown, with a 
specimen of Oncidium ampliatum majus bearing 5000 flowers and 
buds, and a Dendrobium Brymerianum 3 feet in diameter with 
200 flowers. Besides other awards Messrs. Sander & Co. secured 
the only two honorary gold medals offered. Some large specimens 
of Clerodendron Balfourianum were exhibited by Mr. John Fox^ 
