PERIODICAL INSPECTION 51 



this latter inspection being the more important. Cleanliness 

 in everything around Orchids is one of the most important 

 aids to successful culture, and, during the periodical inspec- 

 tions, plants which are not clean should be cleansed, their 

 pots where it is required washed, and the staging and any 

 part of the house requiring it thoroughly cleansed before 

 the plants are rearranged. During the course of the 

 work certain plants which would be benefited by being 

 repotted, or divided, will be found, and these should be 

 given attention. The water in the tub in which the 

 green deposit on the pots has been removed by scrubbing, 

 and as much of the other water used in cleansing as 

 can be dealt with, should be poured down a drain outside 

 the Orchid house. If thrown on the floor of the house, 

 it leaves an unpleasant odour, which is harmful and lasts 

 a long time. 



During the inspection at the end of the summer the 

 staging should be repaired where necessary, the heating 

 apparatus carefully overhauled and defects made good, in 

 order to minimise the risk of having to do the work during 

 the cold weather. Where it is deemed advisable to black 

 the hot-water piping, use only lamp-black and oil. Paint 

 gives off injurious gases for a considerable time, and where 

 persons have been incautious enough to use gas-tar the 

 most lamentable results have followed, the mischief lasting 

 for years. These periodical inspections and rearrangement 

 of the plants are also useful in preventing the same plants 

 occupying the same positions for too long a time. A 

 change of position in the house is beneficial, even where 

 the plants are not crowded ; but in collections where the 

 plants are closely arranged, to change their positions fre- 



