342 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
Very little damping down, other than that which watering supplies, will 
now be required in any department ; during dull, moist weather I can safely 
say none, but during hard, frosty weather once or twice according to cir- 
cumstances. I am speaking now of the country air, but do not forget that 
in large centres smoky fogs have to be fought. During the time these are 
dense let all departments—no matter whether the plants are resting or not 
—be well charged with moisture, and the roots watered if very dry. If this 
is followed, at the same time closing all ventilators tightly and stopping up 
what other air spaces there may be, the damage from fog is greatly 
reduced. 
Now that severe weather in the way of frosts may be expected, I may 
again mention that the system of covering the glass at night is an exceed- 
ingly beneficial one, as less fire is required, resulting in a purer and better 
growing atmosphere. I heartily recommend a trial in all departments 
alike of this system of protection from cold. Old mats, sacks, carpets, 
anything, even the summer shade blinds, are better than nothing, but these 
are ruined by exposure to the weather, and again, when frozen, are difficult 
- to roll up and down, whereas the aforementioned things may be put on 
and off at will. 
Potting operations are now, generally speaking, better deterred until 
spring. That repotting may take place throughout the winter in some 
favoured localities I do not dispute, but such are exceptional cases. To 
re-pot an Orchid now means trouble, because the new root growth is so slow, 
rendering re-establishment long and uncertain. The quicker the roots can 
claim the new compost, the better for the plant ; therefore no plant should 
be repotted which has to have its roots thoroughly overhauled, and to do 
such work well this is mostly necessary. 
A little repotting under certain conditions may however be proceeded 
with. There are sure to bea few plants in every collection which have, 
through some reason or another, gone back; and which require special 
treatment to restore them to health. These, if in large pots, having but 
few if any roots alive, should be shaken clean out and reduced to very 
small ones. Pots just sufficiently large to admit the plant being squeezed 
in should be selected, a little fresh sphagum moss being placed round the 
roots, or where the roots should be. Such plants should not receive the 
ordinary rest accorded to strong ones at this season, but be more liberally 
treated to warmth and moisture, thus promoting root action, plumpness of 
the pseudobulb, and colour to the foliage. Again, such plants that have 
turned the corner and are moving on inthe right direction may be re-potted 
just when they may seem to desire it, no matter whether winter or summer, 
because all they require is to be potted on into larger pots, which can easily 
be done without disturbing the ball of roots in the least. Again, newly 
