THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
to suffer from want of moisture at the roots, yet if the latter are treated to 
■excess, they will be found in a decayed state at potting time, and the 
effects of loss of roots will be evident in the weak growths the following 
season. On dry, hot days, nearly all Orchids benefit from overhead 
spraying. Far those plants that cannot endure heavy syringing a good 
hand-sprayer proves a very useful instrument, and means less danger of the 
young growths being filled with water from the mist-like spray produced, if 
-due care be taken with it. 
Insect PESTS.-^-At this season it is necessary to maintain a continual 
warfare against all destructive insects, as they multiply rapidly in hot, dry 
weather. A sharp look-out must be kept for red spider which attacks the 
undersides of the leaves of many warm-growing Orchids. Sponging, or 
.dipping in some safe insecticide, is the best remedy. The most troublesome 
of all pests are black and yellow thrips: these, if once allowed to gain a 
ffoothold, are difficult to eradicate. Periodic mild fumigating by means of 
one of the vaporising compounds will help to keep these pests in check,-or 
spraying the plants overhead with some safe insecticide. For a few days 
following either operation, particular attention should be paid to shading, 
as the foliage is liable to become damaged by strong sunlight after 
fumigating or dipping in insecticide. 
Cattleyas. —The condition of the late spring-flowering members of this 
family that have flowered should be ascertained, and the operation of 
affording fresh rooting material to those that need it should be carried out 
ere the new roots and growths advance, thus avoiding injury to the plants. 
Healthy plants should be re-potted with as little root disturbance as possible, 
but any having decayed material about their roots should have all the old 
compost shaken from them, cutting all dead roots away and removing old 
and useless pseudo-bulbs. Frequent disturbance of these plants is harmful 
rather than good ; large specimens may be allowed to grow for two or four 
years without being disturbed, providing that when re-potting is necessary 
the work is done thoroughly. Good and ample drainage is very essential, 
especially in the case of large pots that are to accommodate strong rooting 
kinds, or extra large plants. The treatment of the roots is the same for all 
members of this family, they like a rough class of material, Osmunda or Ai 
fibre, Polvpodium fibre and sphagnum moss, with a good sprinkling of 
crushed crocks and charcoal, mixing the whole well together. In potting, 
the compost should be pressed firmly about the roots. Care must be taken 
in watering all newly-potted plants, and extra shade given to those 
specimens which have been broken up. 
Epidendrums. —The strikingly handsome species E. prismatocarpum is 
a robust, free-flowering Orchid, remarkable for the lasting qualities of its 
lowers, and is an attractive plant at summer exhibitions. After the plants 
