Seeds. In no class of cultivated plants is propagation by seeds more difficult and tedious than it is with orchids. In all cases, fertilization must be performed by hand. In England, the length of time required for the capsules to ripen varies from three months to a year. Good seeds form a very small proportion of the whole, and it occasionally happens that the contents of a capsule will not produce a single plant. This, however, as well as the difficulty experienced in England in rearing plants to the flowering stage, is primarily due to the deficiency of sunlight, and in such a bright climate as that of the United States, would not be likely to occur. Various methods of sowing are in vogue, such as sprinkling over pieces of wood and cork or tree-fern stem, and on the top of moss and peat, in which established plants of the same or a nearly related species are growing. The last is probably the best, but it is always advisable to try several methods. Of course, the material on which the seeds are scattered must always be kept moist and shaded. The period between germination and the development of the first root is the most critical in the life of a seedling orchid. After they are of sufficient size to handle they are potted off into tiny pots, and as they gain strength, are given treatment approximating that of adult plants. Division. Cypripediums may be taken as an example where this is readily done. It is simply necessary to carefully shake off the soil from the roots, and by the aid of a sharp knife, sever the plant into as many pieces as are required. It is always advisable to leave one or more leading growths to each portion. This method may be practiced for the increase of phaius, masdevallia, sobralia, ada, the evergreen section of calanthe, and all of similar habit. In nearly all those kinds where the pseudo-bulbs are united by a procumbent rhizome, such as occurs in cattleyas, the process is slower. It seems to be natural for these plants to continue year after year, producing a single growth from the old pseudo-bulb. To obtain additional "leads," the rhizomes should be cut through in early spring, two or three pseudo-bulbs being reserved to each piece. A bud will then push from the base of each pseudo-bulb nearest the division, and a new lead is formed. The pieces should not be separated until this is well established, and three years may sometimes be required. Lælia, catasetum, cœlogyne, lycaste, cymbidium, zygopetalum, odontoglossum, oncidium, miltonia, etc., are treated in this manner.