THE ORCHID REVIEW, 57 
particular in this respect, excepting S. caudatum and its varieties, and 
Schlimii, and in watering these it is therefore advisable not to pour it over 
the plant, especially during the winter or in dull weather. The first of these 
grows best in an intermediate temperature, and the last in a cool one. 
Coming into flower in the Warm house is the grand and noble Cypripe- 
dium Rothschildianum, an Orchid of rare decorative habit when not 
in bloom, but when its stout dark spikes and strikingly handsome flowers 
are added, few, if any, of the ‘“‘slipper’’ family can compare with it. This 
species is one that should occasionally be allowed to become moderately 
dry at the root; at least, we find it advantageous not to saturate the ball of 
compost continually, as is the case with others of this family, and water 
should never lodge in the growths, for if it does the least harm it does is to 
cause disfigurement of the leaves. 
Towards the end of the month preparations for renewing the moss. about 
such plants as Vanda Bensone, Denisoniana, lamellata, most of the warm 
growing Aérides, and the Saccolabiums should be made, leaving S. 
cceleste awhile longer at rest, until new roots appear. The plants, mostly 
growing in baskets and teakwood cylinders, should for a considerable time 
previously have no water given them, so that the old moss becomes dry, 
and thus is more readily removed... The new moss should be freed from all 
weeds, leaves, and other extraneous matter, and placed in a position to get 
warm before using. All the old moss, and as many of the old crocks as are 
detachable, should be picked out, and if all the old material cannot be 
removed with the aid of a stick the syringe should be used, allowing the 
receptable to drain and dry a little before proceeding further with the 
operation. The baskets or cylinders should be nearly filled with clean 
crocks, the moss when completed being about an inch thick. If the latter 
be good, it may be possible whilst placing it on the basket to so arrange 
that the largest proportion of heads are upwards, so that in time it will 
grow and form a neat and even surface. If the moss is long it is better to 
chop it, for greater convenience in working and for appearance when done, 
but if this is necessary, of course, one cannot get the ‘‘ heads’’ to come 
uppermost, but given ordinary attention, and by using rain water only, it 
will soon grow and appear as well as any other. Any plants that have 
grown at all “leggy” owing to the loss of their lower leaves may, in many 
instances, be lowered without bodily removal, by the simple act of cutting 
away a few inches of the stem at the base and lowering the plant. Possibly 
a few roots will crack, but a little extra care will reduce this to a minimum. 
Those that need lowering, but yet cannot be done without bodily removal, 
had better be left until a little later in the year. To economise space and 
to prevent the roots of different plants interlacing they should be gone over 
occasionally, and spreading roots that are likely to become attached to a 
