May, 1915.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 133 
SZ 
HE sun will by now have gained considerable power, therefore shading 
will be needed to a greater extent than prescribed last month, as leaves 
are easily scorched on plants placed near the roof glass. Towards the end 
of the month the side and ends of the house that are not protected by the 
roller blinds should receive some form of shading. I find a thin mixture of 
flour and water stippled on the glass very effective, as this effectually 
prevents the sun’s rays from scorching the plants, and yet does not exclude 
necessary light on dull days, and, moreover, soon gets washed off when the 
THE AMATEUR’S COLLECTION. 
. By C., ALWYN. HARRISON. : 
autumn rains begin. 
Plenty of atmospheric moisture will now be needed, damping heavily 
between the pots several times a day, and spraying the plants also over 
their leaves morning and evening, but only on bright days. One word of 
caution is necessary in regard to this latter operation. On no account 
must a coarse syringe be employed, as too much water will fall into the 
axils of the léaves, and decay will promptly set in. A very fine spray 
sytinge should be employed, and several suitable makes are now on the 
market. 
The repotting of the late winter and spring flowering Cattleyas and 
their many hybrids demands our time. Two hints may be acceptable to 
beginners :— 
(1) Do not repot a plant unless it needs it; a good sweet compost 
should last two years. 
(2) Do not use pots of too large a size. 
A good compost for Cattleyas consists of osmunda fibre and a few heads 
of sphagnum moss. Where the amateur has little time, I would advise a 
few bushels of compost ready prepared for use to be procured, as the 
following method of preparing the osmunda needs time. It should, first of 
all, be pulled to pieces, taking out any long fibre and leaves. Then rub it 
through a sieve of moderately fine mesh. It should then be chopped and 
passed through the sieve for the second time, when it will be free from dust 
and ready to form an excellent rooting medium. In repotting turn the 
plant out of the old pot and shake off any crocks, and pick out with a 
pointed stick any bits of old compost. Cut off all dead roots and back 
bulbs. To my mind, three of these are ample to support each leading 
growth, for it has been proved that bulbs of older growth only act asa 
drain on the new ones. Fill a clean pot two-thirds full of crocks, and on 
these set the plant. Pot very firmly, pressing the osmunda well round by 
means of a pointed stick. Be very careful not to bury the plant. The base 
