156 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [JULY, 1917. 
By J. T. BARKER, The West Hill Gardens, 
rks 
| CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR JULY. 
Hessie; E. Yo 
HE change in the climatic conditions during the last few weeks, almost 
from arctic to tropical, has been most beneficial to those Orchids 
which revel in heat and light, and many which at one time appeared late 
in producing their flowers are in bloom practically at their normal season, 
so rapid has been their production of flowers. With the increased heat 
and light, it has been possible to treat all the plants in the warmer divisions © 
more liberally, and growth in most cases has been rapid. In the Cool 
divisions some pains has been necessary to keep the temperature down and 
the houses cool and moist, conditions in which these plants revel at this 
season. The temperatures and general treatment as advised for the 
summer months must be continued, and every encouragement given to the 
plants to make clean and healthy growths. 
VENTILATION AND SHADING will require much attention, as the young 
growths are at present unable to withstand much sunshine until they have | 
become inured to it. When growth is complete, there is ample time to 
ripen or consolidate it, so that the plants may produce flowers of the best 
quality. During the recent spell of hot weather it has been possible to use 
the ventilators of the different houses to the best advantage, and the extra 
amount of fresh air has also been greatly to the plants’ advantage. Plants 
grown under this rational treatment are better able to withstand any slight 
set-backs than those grown under stuffy conditions. The ventilation of 
the different houses depends entirely upon the class of plants grown in 
them, and in all cases Orchids resent a dry parched atmosphere: therefore 
it is quite obvious that the ventilators must not be thrown open in a 
haphazard way, but a continuous circulation of fresh air should be main- 
tained at all times without causing draughts. If draughts will cause stiff 
neck to the cultivator, what does it cause the plants? Suffering, 
undoubtedly, and imperfect development and even death, are the accom- 
paniment of this condition of things. 
WATERING at this season must have most careful attention. Those 
plants which are well rooted in the compost, and making rapid and vigorous 
growth, may receive it in abundance, while those newly-potted, and those 
which have not yet commenced to grow, must have it applied with caution. 
PoTTinG in most establishments will this season suffer from the 
shortage, not only of labour, but also of material. Owing to this serious 
trouble it will be advisable to hold over all plants that are growing in a 
sweet and healthy compost, repotting those in which the rooting material 
is found to be decomposed. No plant can make satisfactory root growth in 
