242 «THE ORCHID REVIEW. [Apcusijarg 
CULTURAL NOTES. 
By J. COLLIER, Gardener to SIR JEREMIAH COLMAN, Bart., Gatton Park, Reigate. 
@ INCE my July calendar was written, a great change has taken place in 
S the climatic conditions, and very little fire heat has been needed 
during the day time in either division. In the East Indian house the hot- 
water pipes have been just luke-warm during the night in order to promote 
a genial atmosphere. The temperature at night in this house should be 
kept as near to 70° as possible, and the bottom ventilators should be left 
partly open whenever the weather conditions permit. A general growing 
atmosphere should be maintained at all times. In order to achieve this 
object it will be necessary to devote considerable time and attention to 
judicious watering, shading, ventilation and the general damping-down in 
each house. At this period cleanliness is equally important, and, as little 
repotting will be required, all spare time should be devoted to cleansing the 
plants, pots, and the general surroundings. Cattleyas, Lelias and their 
‘hybrids should be overhauled, the leaves and pseudo-bulbs sponged and any 
‘scale insects detected on the rhizomes removed by the use of an approved 
insecticide, applied with a moderately stiff brush, taking care not to injure 
the dormant eyes; much damage may easily be done in this way by an 
inexperienced operator, and which may not become apparent until later, 
-when the buds are lost and the rhizomes turn black and decay. Where 
insects are not present the plants should be sponged with a weak solution 
-of soft soap dissolved in tepid rain water. Occasional fumigations of the 
houses should be carried out as a preventive measure. Periodical 
sprayings overhead with a solution of quassia extract at the rate of half a 
pint to five gallons of tepid rain water, will in most case keep insects in 
check. The sprayings should be done on fine afternoons when evaporation 
is likely to be quick so that harm is not caused by the quassia water 
remaining too long in any partly developed growths. The above treatment 
applies to all Orchids. 
At this particular season a large number of young shoots are in various 
Stages of development ; support should be given to any that are likely to 
bend over by being loosely tied to small, neat stakes, which may be removed 
after the growths have attained their proper size and strength. 
Many plants of the deciduous and semi-deciduous Dendrobiums will be 
completing their growths, and when they are fully developed they may be 
removed to a somewhat cooler and drier atmosphere, where they will 
feceive the benefit of extra sunlight and air, in order to consolidate the 
newly made growths, and to bring about a thorough season of rest. 
Before removing the plants from their growing quarters it should first be 
ascertained whether the young roots proceeding from the base of the new 
