PERIODICAL INSPECTION — 51 
this latter inspection being the more important. Cleanliness 
in everything around Orchids is one of the most important 
aids to successful culture, and, during the periodical inspec- 
tions, plants which are not clean should be cleansed, their 
pots where it is required washed, and the staging and any 
_ part of the house requiring it thoroughly cleansed before 
the plants are rearranged. During the course of the 
work certain plants which would be benefited by being 
repotted, or divided, will be found, and these should be 
given attention. The water in the tub in which the 
green deposit on the pots has been removed by scrubbing, 
and as much of the other water used in cleansing as 
can be dealt with, should be poured down a drain outside 
the Orchid house. If thrown on the floor of the house, 
it leaves an unpleasant odour, which is harmful and lasts 
a long time. 
During the inspection at the end of the summer the 
staging should be repaired where necessary, the heating 
apparatus carefully overhauled and defects made good, in 
order to minimise the risk of having to do the work during 
the cold weather. Where it is deemed advisable to black 
the hot-water piping, use only lamp-black and oil. Paint 
gives off injurious gases for a considerable time, and where 
persons have been incautious enough to use gas-tar the 
most lamentable results have followed, the mischief lasting 
for years. These periodical inspections and rearrangement 
of the plants are also useful in preventing the same plants 
occupying the same positions for too long a time. A 
change of position in the house is beneficial, even where 
the plants are not crowded ; but in collections where the 
plants are closely arranged, to change their positions fre- 
