250 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [AUGUST, 1923- 
CULTURE OF BRITISH ORCHIDS. 
gees is always a certain amount of pleasure to be obtained from 
hunting for British Orchids and cultivating them in a private garden. 
When seen growing wild their requirements seem so simple that it looks 
like one of the easiest things to dig them up and re-plant them without any 
harm to their constitution. But the slightest difference in soil or atmospheric 
conditions is frequently sufficient to prevent the plants’ future progress as- 
one would desire. Mr. A. D. Webster, in his British Orchids, states that 
“although the majority of British Orchids are found in a somewhat stiff 
soil, still, in my experience of them, when brought under cultivation, a fair 
admixture of sand is highly beneficial to most species ; indeed I make it a 
rule when planting to surround the tuberous or other roots with a handful 
of rough grit or sand, which not only to a great extent prevents decay, but 
materially assists in the formation of roots. This precaution is all the more 
necessary when planting imported Orchids, the roots of which have become 
damaged in transit or through carelessness in lifting. With a little care 
Orchids may be transplanted from their native wilds at any period of their 
growth even when in full flower; indeed, the latter time is preferable, as the 
strongest and healthiest plants can always be chosen, and usually any 
peculiarity of foliage or flowers is retained under cultivation.” Many 
European Orchids can be successfully cultivated in unheated garden frames, 
and excellent results have been achieved by amateurs who possess 4. 
greenhouse that is just kept above freezing point during severe winter 
weather. 
ily Gakic 
VENTILATION OF ORCHID Housrs.—Coming, as nearly all Orchids do, 
from hilly and mountainous countries, fresh air is vital to them, and should 
be freely admitted on all possible occasions, particularly in the cool and 
intermediate houses. In the stove or East India house, so called from the 
class of Orchids usually grown in it, with its higher temperature, though 
quite as beneficial to the plants, air cannot be so freely admitted or harm 
will result from the lowered temperature. Ventilators in the top of the 
house can only be opened at the most for a short time each day, and even 
then not sufficiently wide to allow the atmosphere to become too dry, air 
being chiefly admitted by the bottom ventilators. Air may be left on the. 
bottom ventilators during the summer both day and night, and also, but to 
a less extent, in the winter. When top air is given, discretion must 
always be used, and the outdoor temperature studied or too muoh 
moisture escapes from the house, causing a dry, arid atmosphere in the 
place of a moist, genial one. This applies to all Orchid Houses.— Sanders’ 
Orchid Guide. 
