316 
THE FLORIST. 
to it, the flower being of the same colour; but here the similitude 
ends, the foliage, habit, and disposal of the flower being most unlike 
that species. I look upon it as one of my very best flowers; it, as 
well as Regalis, is in the possession of Mr. Henderson. 
Having attempted a hurried recital of a few results in hybridising 
the Erica, I will conclude this article as I have promised, by saying 
a word or two by way of information to those who have not directed 
their attention to this “ art and mystery.” The parents to be 
selected for a future race of seedlings must be healthy. Place them 
in a light and convenient situation, to enable you to examine daily 
the state of the flowers you intend to operate upon, as the most 
vigilant and frequent inspection is necessary, in order to catch the 
stigma in a fitting state to receive the pollen; this may be known 
by the pistil assuming a globular and shining appearance. Then 
with a crowquill of suitable size, one end thereof being cut much like 
a toothpick, but less pointed, insert it about half-an-inch down the 
throat of the flower from which you require pollen, pressing the end 
gently against the side of the tube; this will burst the anthers, and 
cause the pollen to lodge in the hollow of the quill; let it be under¬ 
stood that the quill is to be held between the finger and thumb, with 
the hollow part upwards, much as you hold a tea-spoon; then, 
have at hand another quill, very small, cut in the same form, but more 
pointed: with it gather up on the point a small portion of the 
pollen you have extracted, and lodge it as lightly as possible upon 
the glossy globular pistil, taking care that only the pollen shall touch 
the glutinous liquid resting thereon. As many varieties produce 
but a small quantity of pollen, much nicety of proceeding is requi¬ 
site, or you will fail of securing any. Tie the fertilised flower 
with a thin strip of bast, writing on a label the particulars of the 
operation, and thrust it into the side of the pot, to be copied with 
its proper number into a book kept for the purpose when you sow 
the seed, which I generally do as soon as gathered. A flower set 
in June will generally ripen its seed in September. (Depressa, Caven- 
dishii, Halicacaba, Monsonise, and one or two others, do not perfect 
their seed till the following spring.) And now, again, watchfulness 
is necessary, or your past labours will be thrown away. As the 
seed approaches to maturity, the seed-vessel assumes a brown 
shrivelled appearance. Shortly you may perceive on the crown 
indications of cracking or separating; it is then, and not till then, it 
is to be gathered; if not caught at the nick of time, an hour or two’s 
sun will rend open the pod and scatter the seeds; on the other hand, 
if gathered prematurely it will not germinate. 
Having given, I fear, a very imperfect recital of the mode I have 
pursued for many years past, in my endeavour to add to the already 
many beautiful varieties of this (to me) interesting family, up to the 
sowing of the seed, I shall now' conclude, apologising for having 
taken up so much space. I may probably return to the subject at 
some future time, for the purpose of describing my treatment of the 
seedling plants from their first appearance above ground. 
Oct. 20. W. H. Story. 
