APRIL, 1915.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 109" 
grow and need immediate attention are the vestita and Veitchii section of 
the deciduous Calanthes, which still hold a prominent position as- 
decorative objects, either in the form of plants or cut blooms. These 
plants should now be repotted, but previous to that operation each plant 
should be thoroughly overhauled. Turn them out of their pots, remove 
every particle of soil, and closely examine each pseudobulb for the presence: 
of scale insects and mealy bug, which may often be found clustered at the’ 
base of the growths ; if such work be neglected these pests are sure to give 
trouble all through the growing season. While cleansing the pseudobulbs. 
take care not to rub or injure the eyes or young growths at the base, 
at the same time cut off the dead roots to within one inch, to form a 
support that will help to keep the plants steady until the new roots have a 
firm hold of the compost. 
As regards potting, the usual practice is to plant the largest sized pseudo- 
bulbs singly into 5 or 6-inch pots, but if house room is limited, or where a 
quantity of cut bloom is required, five or six of the moderate-sized bulbs, or 
three or four larger ones may be potted in 7-inch pots. Perfect drainage: 
is essential ; the pots should be about half-filled with clean crocks, covered 
with a thin layer of fresh turfy loam or rough sphagnum moss. The soil. 
should consist of half turfy yellow loam, one-fourth chopped osmunda fibre, 
one-fourth dry cow dung or well-decayed leaf mould, with a moderate 
quantity of chopped sphagnum moss, small crocks, and coarse silver sand.. 
These materials should be well mixed together. When repotting the 
plants, press the compost with moderate firmness around the base of each. 
pseudobulb, and keep the soil at least half an inch below the rim of the pot, 
so as to ensure good waterings, and to allow sufficient space for a top 
dressing of turfy loam when the plants have become thoroughly established 
and a number of new roots appear on the surface of the compost. This. 
additional soil will at that time be very helpful to them. 
For several weeks after repotting is completed the plants will require 
little or no water, unless some of the stronger growths, or those that started 
earlier than others, make unexpected headway. Keep their surroundings- 
moderately moist by damping between their pots occasionally. If the 
plants are stood upon dry open wooden stages a damping twice each day 
will be needful, but if placed upon a close damp bottom two or three times 
a week will be sufficient. This treatment should be carried out until the 
new roots are seen pushing through the soil, then, by slightly sprinkling the 
soil with tepid rain water from a fine syringe, the roots will soon lay hold of 
the sides of the pot, and by that time the growths will have made 
considerable progress, and abundance of water will be required. 
To increase the stock of any particular variety, some of the old back 
bulbs may be removed, inserting them thickly into pots filled with 
