January, 1923 } THE ORCHID: REVIEW. 25 
THE AMATEUR’S PAGE. 
O far as the English climate is concerned, the month of January marks 
the coldest period of the year, the days are at their shortest, while the 
plants are in their minimum state of activity. With such adverse conditions 
as generally prevail, it is no use attempting to force plants along by excessive 
heat and an overabundant supply of water. Fire heat will, of course, be 
necessary, and in the hot-houses a greater amount of damping-down will be 
required. This should be done with care, for it will oftentimes be noticed 
that the ground nearest the boiler end of the house dries up much quicker 
than the end farthest from it. In order to produce a circulation of water in 
the pipes a gradual rise is given them, so that at their farthest point from 
the boiler they are generally nearer the staging than the ground. It is thus 
plain that while at one end of the house it is the ground that will require 
much damping down, at the other end it is likely to be the under-staging 
that will need most water. 
With every increase of temperature more moisture is absorbed by the 
atmosphere, consequently it is the early part of the day when damping 
should be done, and the more so when there is a prospect of bright sunshine 
adding a few extra degrees to the temperature. With the decline of day- 
light the temperature gradually falls and causes the atmosphere to give up 
some of its moisture, this being precipitated in the form of dew. On this 
account it is not wise to damp down the house after mid-day in winter 
time. But when much firing is being used it may be necessary to 
again damp down just a limited area near the boiler, for the surrounding 
soil should not be allowed to become dust dry. Nothing is more detri- 
mental than a compost saturated with water when the temperature is low. 
It would indeed be better for the plant to be really in need of water during 
a spell of exceptionally cold weather than for it to be surrounded by 
unreasonably wet conditions. 
Every opportunity should be taken of keeping the plants in a robust 
state of health by judicious ventilation. The bottom ventilators of all 
houses are of considerable assistance in preventing the atmosphere from 
becoming stagnant, and with the cool-growing section of plants they will 
rarely need to be entirely closed. There is, however, a difference of opinion 
regarding the use of top ventilators, for while some cultivators endeavour to 
have them slightly open at all times, there are others who keep them 
entirely closed. But this does not represent so much a difference in 
treatment as it does of otitside conditions. Naturally, the amateur situated 
in or near a large town does not wish the smoke and foggy atmosphere to 
enter his houses, and he is almost forced to keep the ventilators closed 
during such dull days. Growers who advocate ample ventilation include 
