JANuaRY, 1914.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 1 
the canvas blinds until a thaw sets in without doing considerable damage 
ROUTINE WORK.—By the end of the month the washing down of the 
houses should be finished. Every plant ought to be looked over for insect 
pests, and new labels should be written where it is necessary. This is an 
important item, or should be, in every collection. Seedlings are usually 
grown under numbers, and the parentage and other details are carefully 
recorded in a stock-book kept especially for that purpose. It is a good 
plan to have two books, one for every-day use and the other may be stored 
in the iron safe or where it is secure against loss. At one time the common 
deal label was largely used, but it has been superseded by the white 
celluloid kind which is obtainable in various sizes. 
SPECIAL VARIETIES.—In every establishment there will be found at 
least a few of what might be termed extra special plants, such as albinos, 
rare hybrids, or choice species, which, if left among the general collection, 
are apt to be overlooked and deteriorate in consequence. This can be 
overcome by arranging them upon inverted flower-pots, or placing them in 
a separate division where they will be always under the eye of the grower. 
Some suspend such plants from the roof, but this is not recommended, 
except for Cattleya Dowiana aurea, which enjoys a certain amount of 
strong light, as there is a possibility of them suffering from drought through 
the summer months. 3 
TEMPERATURES.—Each division or house ought to contain a 
thermometer, and the following table should be adhered to as far as 
possible, although much will depend upon the weather. If it is cold and 
frosty it will be much better for the inmates to allow the temperature to 
fall five degrees or so below the prescribed minimum than to drive the fires 
hard, the latter causing that dry, stuffy atmosphere in which no plant will 
thrive. 
East Indian or Warm house: 65°-70° Fahr. 
Cattleya or Intermeuiate-house: 60°-65° Fahr. 
Odontoglossum or Cool house: 55°-60° Fahr. 
Seedling house: 70° Fahr. 
The figures quoted refer to the day temperatures, and the maximum 
must always be recorded at midday, while at night about five degrees lower 
all round should be the rule. 
ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE.—A buoyant and moist atmosphere must be 
created in each house, by:damping the stages, floors, &c., once or twice 
each day, but in this respect we should be guided by the amount of fire-heat 
required to maintain the temperatures at the proper figure. The locality 
also makes a difference, for in low-lying districts scarcely any damping 
down is needed during’ the winter months, while in exposed positions drier 
conditions usually prevail. 
