310 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
can be obtained from damping a clean surface, for in the latter case the 
evaporation is quick and consequently spasmodic in its action, providing 
the surface be not damped frequently. However, we not only have to grow 
the plants under our care, but we have to set them off to the best advantage 
for the inspection of their owners and their friends, and to do this, we must 
have the plants’ surroundings clean and tidy, whether it be to the advantage 
of the latter or not. Dirty glass I should never consider an aid to life and 
vigor in plants, excepting where heavy shading is needed in the summer, 
and even then shading of the regulation order is bettér than dirt. 
When a house has been cleaned, the occupants should be arranged so 
that each one has its due share of light according to its known requirements, 
favouring those, if any favour be shown, that are still in a state of growth, so 
that they will in due course develope and mature the growth before its 
season of activity has expired. If there are a few plants of certain species 
that are behind in this respect, it is best to remove them to where a trifle 
higher temperature is kept up rather than raise that of the house they 
occupy. I am now speaking more particularly of Cattleyas, Leelias, © 
Dendrobiums, &c., and not Cool-house subjects, which in many cases are 
slowly making growth all through the winter. 
Deciduous plants, such as Catasetums, Mormodes, Calanthes, &c., 
although they have no leaves, will still need light to mature their bulbs, and 
in the latter case to aid the developement of the flower-spikes. Those in 
pots may find a suitable place on a shelf near the glass, taking them all 
down occasionally, and watering those that stand in need of it by im- 
mersing the pots to their rims in a pail of water. Deciduous Dendrobiums 
will also need all the light obtainable, as much now they have lost their 
leaves, as they did before, but Thunias, when the leaves have fallen away, 
and the stem-like bulbs have become well ripened, need not be placed in a 
light position, if room is at a premium, but may be laid under a stage in 
such a manner that the stems do not lay flat on the earth, and in a position 
where drip cannot fall on them, for if it does rot will set in. 
A large number of the “ Slipper ” family bloom during the winter, the 
first of any note, other than that of hybrid origin, being Cypripedium 
Spicerianum, one of the loveliest “ Slipper” Orchids we have, besides being 
one of the easiest to cultivate if left undisturbed. A warm intermediate 
treatment is generally advocated for this species, but good results are 
usually obtainable when grown in the stove. Abundance of water is always 
needed, though less is required in the winter than during the summer. 
Other good ones are found in the useful old and new forms of C. insigne, 
the lovely C. Charlesworthii, purpuratum, and the hybrids Arthurianum, 
Leeanum, Niobe, and vexillarium, all of which grow best in a moderately 
cool temperature, as also does C. villosum and Boxallii. Cypripediums 
