REMOVING USELESS LEAVES 31 
label, either for numbers or names, or both, is the white 
celluloid label, obtainable in all sizes, similar to the ordinary 
wooden plant label, and in the ticket form for attaching to 
the baskets by means of fine wire. This kind of label does 
not decay as the wood labels, and it may be cleaned and 
used again as long as it remains in a perfect condition. Let 
all labels be made as small as possible consistent with their 
being firmly fixed, as it detracts much from the appearance 
of a house of plants if the labels are too much in evidence. 
Care must be taken during repotting that the labels removed 
from the plants should each be returned to its proper 
specimen. Much trouble may be caused by mixing the 
labels. 
CHAPTER V1 
REMOVING USELESS LEAVES AND BULBS 
AN unsightly appearance is given to many collections of 
Orchids by the presence on some of the plants of a number 
of damaged or yellow leaves. These are often supposed 
to be the result of bad cultivation, and, in some cases, rightly 
so. But in all collections of Orchids the old leaves, even 
of the evergreen species, do not pass off naturally as they 
do in their native habitats, where they have the natural 
seasons with their climatic changes to cause the leaves to 
fall naturally. When cultivated under glass, the species 
which are known as evergreen kinds retain their old leaves 
long after they would have passed away in their native 
wilds ; and not only that, but they decline and become 
