8y THE ORCHID REVIEW. [Aprit, 1917. 
By J. T. BARKER, The West Hill Gardens, 
Hess s. 
ssie, E. York 
[ CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR APRIL. 
HE sudden changes of weather often experienced during April makes 
this month a trying period to all who have the management of a 
collection of Orchids. The many changes in the weather make it almost q 
impossible to keep the temperatures of the houses regular, although shading 4 
and ventilation, if carefully attended to, goa great way in averting harmful ~ 
fluctuations. 
TEMPERATURES.—Now that the conditions of growth are more genial, 
the temperatures of the different houses may be raised five degrees higher 
than the figures given in the January Calendar, with the exception of the — 
Cool house, which should be kept as near the same figures as possible. 
The health of the plants depend entirely on the conditions provided for 
them, therefore it is imperative that every attention should be given to this 
matter. 
WATERING.—With the brighter days, and the increased power of the 
sun, the plants will require more water, both at the roots and in the 
atmosphere, but it will still require to be applied with discretion. Watering 
is often a difficult problem to amateurs, as individual plants, even of the 
Same species and variety, vary considerably in the amount of water taken 
up. Some make the mistake of giving too little by over-cautiousness, 
while some go to the other extreme in deluging the plants with water. 
Again, it is most difficult to lay down a general law as regards the applica- 
tion of water to plants, because what one person would consider wet, 
another would consider dry, therefore it was quite obvious that an inter- 
mediate course between the two is much the best to pursue, although there 
is not much perspecuity in the matter. 
VENTILATION, with the milder outside conditions, may be on a more. 
liberal scale, and, with extended experience, I still adhere to the opinion 
that no plants can thrive indoors without fresh air, hence the necessity of 
recharging the houses daily with this, to my mind, essential factor. It 
must, however, be done judiciously, and with caution, as draughts are 
most harmful, especially at this particular season. 
SHADING.—During this fickle month the blinds will require a great deal 
of attention, but there is not the least need to keep working them for every 
trifling gleam of sunshine. Keep them down on all changeable days and 
up whenever there is no fear of the sun scorching the foliage. At this 
particular season of the year, after an extremely dull and wet winter, the 
foliage of most Orchids is more apt to get scorched by sunshine than after 
a winter when clear bright weather predominates. It is best to err on the 
se he) ha 
