244 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR AUGUST. 
By H. A. BURBERRY, Orchid Specialist, King’s Heath, Birmingham. 
THE Coot Hovuse.—The first half of the present summer was of the kind 
best suited to the requirements of the inmates of this department. During 
the first few weeks, however, the excessive. heat has been a little trying, 
making the employment of extra thick shading quite necessary. Nothing 
is better for this purpose than garden mats thrown over the regular shading, 
and this keeps the plants beautifully shady and cool. Do not let any plant 
suffer from an insufficiency of water at the root, but give a thorough soaking 
as soon as the compost show signs of becoming dry. Give air without 
stint at all times. During a summer rain it is very helpful to these cool 
kinds to remove the top lights, wherever it can be done, so that they receive 
the full benefit thereof. It is still a very good time for the re-potting of 
any of the Odontoglossums which may be in the right stage of growth, 
taking care, of course, afterwards to give them ample shade and moisture, 
including the frequent use of the syringe, so as to encourage renewed 
growth, and prevent a serious relapse which might otherwise result. The 
same also applies to other species, such as the summer blooming Oncidiums, 
as O. concolor, O. Gardneri, and any other species now requiring attention, 
for they soon recover at this season if they get fair treatment. 
Two pretty little Cool House Orchids are Odontoglossum Rossii and O. 
Cervantesii, which should now have any necessary, attention. Two things 
go against these little Mexican species—one is over-abundance of water at 
any time when not making growth, and the other over-large receptacles. 
They prefer small pans or baskets, and but very little pulling to pieces for 
re-potting purposes. As they are now starting to grow freely, they should 
be top-dressed with a little fresh sphagnum, and given a fair supply of 
moisture until the pseudobulbs are matured and their flowering period past, 
after which they must again enjoy a long and comparatively dry rest. __ 
THE INTERMEDIATE AND CATTLEYA HouskEs.—As all the re-potting in 
this department is now practically finished, the chief and most important 
work will consist in giving every attention to the atmospheric conditions, 
ventilation, shading, &c. The great delight of the cultivator will now be to 
see the splendid, healthy greenness of the foliage, the plumpness of the old 
pseudobulbs, and to watch the new ones gradually forming and taking 
shape, equalling or exceeding in size their predecessors. To bring about 
this most desirable end, the beautiful midsummer weather we have lately 
experienced will, of course, be the chief factor. Utilize it as much as 
possible. Shade and ventilate well and consistently, but above all do not 
now let anything suffer for want of water, either at the root or in the air. 
Go through the house every morning and water all those that are beginning 
