-228 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [OcTOBER, 1917. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR OCTOBER. 
By J. T. BARKER, The West Hill Gardens, 
essle, FE. Vorks, 
E may now at any time expect frost, cold nights, or wet sunless days, 
VY and we shall therefore have to rely on the heating apparatus to 
maintain the temperatures in the different departments. October is often. 
a very changeable month, and much attention is necessary to meet the 
falls in the temperature of the external air, so that the evil effects to the 
plants from fluctuations may be avoided. 
TEMPERATURES.—After a season like the present it is advisable to reduce 
the temperatures of the different departments gradually down to the winter 
figures, which should run as follows :— 
Fast Indian or Warm house, 65° to 70°. 
Cattleya and Mexican house, 60° to 65" 
Intermediate house, 58° to 62°. 
Odontoglossum house, 55° to 60°. 
A resting house, where a dry atmosphere is maintained, should be kept 
‘at a temperature of 55° to 60° for Dendrobiums and other plants which 
delight in a long season of rest. 
As I have previously remarked, the resting of these plants is as necessary 
as the production of fine growths, if the best possible flowers are to be 
obtained. Should extremely cold weather prevail, a slight fall in the 
temperature of any house will do no harm, provided it is not allowed to 
remain for too long a time, and the atmosphere is kept in a dry condition. 
Fluctuations, however, must be avoided as much as possible, and no pains 
should be spared to maintain the temperatures somewhere near the 
Proper figures. Nothing thrives in unsuitable quarters, and it is a most 
interesting study to find out the requirements of individual plants at 
different seasons of the year. Our collections are made up of such a 
number of different species and hybrids, each requiring some difference in 
treatment to produce its best form, that it should be qnite obvious how 
essential to success are these apparently small matters. 
SHADING.—By the time these lines appear in print all the blinds can 
be safely dispensed with. The plants should be gradually inured to the 
light, and on bright and warm days increased ventilation should be given. 
‘There have been more Orchids killed in the past from coddling, perhaps, 
than from any other cause, not excepting over-watering. 
WATERING.—This, the most important factor in Orchid culture, needs 
especial attention at this season, and for two reasons. Firstly, attention 
must be given to the state of growth of individual plants. If growing, the 
plant should be watered whenever it becomes dry, and if resting it should 
