THE ORCHID REVIEW. (January, 1918. 
By J. T. BARKER, The West Hill Gardens, 
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CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR JANUARY. eee | 
He ssle, Evo 
NOTHER new year brings with it the necessity of beginning again our 
cultural routine, but before we start upon that errand it may be 
permissible to glance back at the past quarter of a century. Those of us 
who can remember the first number of the Orchid Review, and are lucky 
enough to possess the whole series complete, will be able to realise the 
progress made during that period. The popularity of Orchids has enormously 
increased, whilst their cultivation is much better understood. In the 
routine of Orchid culture, in recording the great advances made in 
hybridisation, and in fact in every branch of the cult the Review has 
worthily upheld its promise. In the thorny subject of nomenclature our 
worthy Editor has every reason to feel proud of his work, and the ends 
attained. Personally, I wish to congratulate him in what he has accom- 
plished during the twenty-five years of its existence—no mean part of a 
life-time—and I am sure there are many who will echo the same 
sentiments. That he may live to see many more volumes accumulate, and 
the Review grow and increase in influence and popularity is the earnest 
wish of one who has appreciated the work from its commencement. 
With the increasing difficulties caused by the war, I trust that these 
notes may be doubly useful during the present year, for, owing to the 
depleted staffs, a good deal of outside and inexperienced help is being called 
into requisition, and owners of collections are themselves, in some cases, 
largely dependent upon their own cultural skill. 
TEMPERATURES.—The most suitable temperatures for the different 
departments are as follows :— 
Cool house ; Day, 50° to 55° ; with sun, 60° ; night, 50°. 
Intermediate house : Day, 60° to 65°; with sun, 60°; night, 57° to 60°. 
Cattleya and Mexican house: Day, 60° to 65°; with sun, 68°; night, 58°. 
Stove or East Indian house: Day, 65° to 70°; with sun, 75°; night, 65°. 
- These figures are given as a guide, as no harm will accrue from slight 
variations either way, in accordance with outside conditions, but it must 
not be overlooked that healthy suitable conditions will alone secure 
satisfactory growth. 
VENTILATION.—At all seasons of the year fresh air must be admitted to 
the houses, as Orchids cannot make satisfactory growth without it, and it 
should be admitted whenever the outside conditions will allow. The 
different houses vary considerably in their requirements in this respect, and 
discrimination must be used to prevent a from reaching the deers 
which is injurious. 
