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154 THE ORCHID REVIEW. _ Jutv-Avoust, 1918, 
| CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR JULY-AUGUST. i 
By J. T. BARKER, The West Hill Gardens, 
Héssle, E. Yorks: 
HE climate conditions continue satisfactory for the cultivation of all 
kinds of Orchids. The amount of light we have enjoyed this season 
has been most beneficial, and the plants show their appreciation by 
throwing up strong, sturdy growths. The most should now be made of the 
increased solar heat, so as to consolidate and mature the new pseudobulbs, 
and thus ensure satisfactory flowering later on. The temperatures and 
general treatment as advised in the two previous Calendars should be 
continued, except that the treatment should be more liberal. Evaporation 
being more rapid, greater humidity may be maintained in all the houses. 
With the increased heat of the sun, the maximum amount of ventilation 
may be indulged in, and the shading of the plants must have close attention, 
as the young growths soon scorch if exposed to the sun’s rays, and may be 
permanently injured or lost. 
WaTERING at this season will absorb much time. Those plants which 
are in full growth, and are well rooted in the compost, should receive liberal 
supplies whenever they become dry. _ Plants which have been recently 
repotted, or that have recently passed out of bloom and have not yet 
commenced to grow vigorously, should be watered with more caution, but 
still should not be allowed to suffer for want of ‘it. 
PoTTInG.—Last year, owing to the shortage of labour and material, I 
advised to hold over for a season the potting of all plants that were 
growing in a sweet and healthy compost, repotting those in which the 
rooting materials had become decomposed. As this difficulty is even more 
prevalent this season than last, I suppose I must renew it; at the same 
time I would impress upon all the dangers attending neglect in this respect: 
My experience teaches me that the decline in health and vigour is attributable 
in the first case to neglect, through a shortage of labour or material, to 
renew the rooting medium at the first stages of decomposition, the plant 
having lost its roots and its vitality through that cause. Efforts must there- 
fore be made to renew such compost as is in decomposing condition, and to 
keep the new compost sweet as long as possible. I have frequently urged 
the necessity of the careful use of the waterpot upon newly potted plants, 
and I would here reiterate it, as I consider it of the greatest importance, for 
the best compost ever put together may be ruined in a very short time by 
the faulty and over indulgent use of the water can. 
Levias.—The Mexican Lelias, which produce their flowers at the 
Christmas season, when flowers of every description are doubly valuable, 
are now in full growth, and the bright weather we have recently enjoyed 1s 
