30 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [JANUARY, 1914. 
Orchids delight in a free circulation of air at all times, and hence 
anything approaching stuffiness in the atmosphere must be avoided. It 
will generally be found possible to open the bottom ventilators daily, even 
if only for an hour or so, and this will effectively prevent a close, stagnant 
atmosphere, which is often the sole cause of failure in some collections. 
No shading will be needed yet, and unless very mild and sunny weather 
prevails, damping down, i.e., syringing the staging, paths and pots, will 
only be needed once daily. 
Rain water must be used for direct application to the plants, and 
during this month those in active growth should be given a dose whenever 
the surface moss appears to require it, by assuming a whitish colour, but 
all those Orchids which are at rest will need only a dose every nine or ten 
days. Should the temperature tall at any time below 50° Fahr., no water 
must be given to the plants until the thermometer has again risen to the 
proper height. At this season the winter-flowering Cypripediums are — 
making a grand show, and number amongst the most useful Orchids for an — 
amateur’s house. ‘ 
SUGGESTED ADDITION. 
DENDROBIUM NOBILE VIRGINALE.—This is an extremely pretty and — 
floriferous variety of this well-known Orchid, and can be easily procured | 
owing to its having been raised true from seed in great number, and a ~ 
well-bloomed plant presents a striking sight during the spring months. : 
The flowers are pure white without any trace of purple, of good size, and — 
they last several weeks in perfection. It is a rapid grower, small — 
propagated plants quickly producing bulbs of flowering size and strength. ; 
During the growing season a moist warm position must be selected, but : 
when at rest and during the formation of the flower buds a very light and : 
airy spot is essential to success. 4 
Ses | NEW HYBRIDS. Far] 
PATHOGLOTTIS eEpinensis.—A very interesting hybrid, raised — 
in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, by Mr. A. J. Munday, — 
gardener in charge of the Orchids, from S. Fortunei 2 and S. pulchra 3; j 
which surely holds the record for precocity, for Prof. I. B. Balfour remarks — 
that the seeds were sown in January, 1913, and the first flowers expanded ’ 
in the following November. The seeds were found to germinate in a few | 
days. The flowers are most like those of S. Fortunei in general character, ‘ 
the sepals and petals slightly suffused and veined with pale purple on 4 : 
pale yellow ground, and the lip with some crimson markings on the crest and — 
an obcordate, purple front lobe. A plant has been presented to Kew. The 
history of S. pulchra is given on page 17. 
