THE ORCHID REVIEW. 83 
discrimination. Do not keep the mass of compost too wet just yet, but 
rather continue the surface waterings occasionally, which will prove 
sufficient to maintain plumpness of the leaves and pseudobulbs. Much 
water is not required, because growth is not yet sufficiently active to absorb 
it, nor can the weather, at present, be relied on to remain genial and con- 
ducive to free growth and ventilation for any length of time. 
VENTILATION.—This should also be done with great care Sika the 
present month, and only when outside conditions are favourable. Remem- 
ber that the cold winds are very treacherous, and that the plants are slightly 
less hardy than before the winter’s comparative confinement, and con- 
sequently will not so successfully withstand large draughts of air. Avoid 
giving top air, if possible, even in the coolest department, rather let the 
temperature run up a little higher than usual. 
THE FrirEs.—Stoking requires particular care at this season. A good 
supply of artificial warmth will doubtiess still be required at night, but 
during sunny days the less the better, or the temperature will rise to an 
excessive degree, to reduce which one is almost compelled to ventilate freely, 
and also to shade, and this should be avoided. When the fire is banked up 
for the night the temperatures should stand so that a fall of from 5° to 10° 
may be allowed by the morning. If the sun, then, may reasonably be 
expected to appear, the fire should not be lighted until about mid-day, and 
the pipes will again become warm by the time the sun’s power declines. 
SHADING.—The Odontoglossum house, if having a southern aspect, will 
now probably be better if lightly shaded during the brightest part of the 
day, but for the other departments this should be unnecessary during the 
present month, as the plants will revel in the extra solar warmth, that is, if 
the fires are properly managed and enough moisture is distributed to 
prevent excessive aridity, which would result in a loss of foliage. 
RE-POTTING AND TOP-DRESSING.—Get on with this wherever possible. 
The Phaiuses of the grandifolius and Wallichii sections, having been kept 
pretty dry since blooming, will now be in good order for re-potting, if 
necessary. I emphasize the last word, for it is bad practice to disturb the 
roots of any Orchid unless absolutely necessary, either because the bulbs 
have become too much cramped for pot space, when, of course, a larger 
size is required, or because the plant has fallen out of health and become 
smaller, when new compost and a smaller pot should be given. The latter 
course is generally an unsatisfactory one, but still necessary in order to 
prevent a plant going from bad to worse, and ultimately dying. It cannot 
be altogether avoided, even in the best grown collections. An Orchid 
should rarely require re-potting for any other cause, as the receptacle, 
whether pan, pot, or basket, should not be too large for it to outgrow 
before the compost has time to become sour and exhausted. A well 
