234 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [Nov.-Drc., 1918. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS For NOV.-DECEMBER. 
By J. T. BARKER, Orchid Grower to His Grace the Duke of 
Marlborough, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxon. 
OVEMBER and December are often considered the worst months of 
the year for Orchid growers, owing to the shortness of the days and 
the comparative absence of light. The difficulty is specially felt in foggy 
districts, and the only thing that can be done to mitigate it is to keep the 
roof glass as clean as possible, and to maintain a proper balance in the 
amount of heat and moisture, with the admission of a little air wheneve! 
possible. 
TEMPERATURES.— Winter conditions must now be strictly enforced, and 
the following temperatures should be aimed at, a slight fall being allowed 
in any division for a short period, when, through severe frost, much fire-heat 
is necessary to maintain the temperatures. 
East Indian house, 60° to 70°. 
Cattleya house, 55° to 60°, 
Mexican and Intermediate houses, 50° to 60°. 
Cool house, 45° to 55°. 
For some considerable time the heating apparatus will have to afford all 
the heat necessary in the various houses, and this should be used with care, 
as an excess of fire-heat, if persisted in, brings in its train all kinds of 
insect pests, besides causing other injuries to the plants. The in- 
jurious effects of artifical heat, when the pipes have to be kept very 
hot during unusually cold weather, should be as far as possible counter- 
balanced by a slight admission of fresh air and a moderate amount of 
damping of the paths, stages, &c. A dry, fiery, and stuffy atmosphere 
should not be allowed at any time, as this condition is not conducive to 
healthy and satisfactory growth. 
WaTERING.—In all departments the plants at this season must be 
watered with extreme care, and it should be impressed upon those who are 
entrusted with the application of water, that the condition of the plant, 
whether at rest or in growth, must always have consideration. No plant 
should have water applied to it unless it really requires it, as unnecessary 
watering ruins the compost, as well as the roots growing in it. 
VENTILATION.—Air should be admitted to the houses on all favourable 
occasions, not in such a way as to cause draughts, but so that the plants 
are enabled to breathe it without the dangers of receiving a chill. All 
plants grown in glass houses are subject to the conditions the cultivator 
provides for them, and this is a point that cannot receive too much atten” 
tion. Fluctuations of temperature should be avoided as much as possible, 
gtherwise much harm may accrue to the plants. Owing to our changeable 
