January, 1916.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 19 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR JANUARY. 
By J. T. BARRER, The West Hill Gardens, 
He essle, Ie, «Yorks 
HE continual improvement in the methods of cultivation of all classes 
of Orchids has to be recorded, and still even more progress will be 
made as time goes on; and this is due entirely to plants of all sections 
being treated rationally, and not coddled and treated like spoilt children. 
With the lengthening days we may possibly have better climatic conditions, 
as recently they have been of the worst. An atmosphere heavily charged 
with moisture, with very little light and a cold snap in the wind, are the 
worst possible factors in maintaining sweet and healthy conditions in the 
different houses in which our plants are grown, and unless such conditions 
are maintained one cannot expect the best results. The whole question of 
successful Orchid culture depends entirely on the plants being placed under 
healthy conditions, each according to its respective requirements. 
TEMPERATURES.—There is not much diversity of opinion as regards the 
best temperatures for the different houses to be maintained at, and they 
have been given so many times in these pages that it almost seems a waste 
of space to repeat them, but for the benefit of new subscribers I will do so. 
The figures are only given as a guide, and no harm will accrue if they vary 
a few degrees either way. It is impossible to keep houses at a fixed figure 
under all kinds of conditions, as a slight fall in extremely cold weather is 
much better than trying to maintain the temperatures with fire heat. 
Cool house: Day, 50° to 55°, with sun, 60°; night, 50°. 
Intermediate house: Day, 60° to 65°, with sun, 66° ; night, 57° to 60°. 
Cattleya and Mexican house: Day, 60° to 65°, with sun, 68°; night, 58° 
to 60°. 
East Indian house: Day, 65° to 70°, with sun, 75°; night, 65°. 
VENTILATION.—The ventilation of the respective houses at this season 
of the year must have most careful attention, as the health of the plants 
depends entirely upon a supply of fresh air being afforded them whenever 
possible. Growths made under these conditions are consolidated as made, 
and are enabled to stand more hardships than those made in stuffy and 
badly-ventilated houses. Draughts, however, must be strictly avoided, as 
these are highly injurious to all plant life. 
ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE plays a great part in the growth of all plants 
grown under artificial conditions, and must be regulated according to the 
weather outside. Again, some houses are naturally dry, others damp, and 
these two extremes have to be taken into consideration when deciding upon 
the requisite amount of moisture in the atmosphere to maintain sweet and 
healthy conditions. In clear and bright weather, when it is necessary to 
