58 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
from those of another. The cool house of one might more closely resemble 
the intermediate house of another, or the reverse. Under those circumstances 
contributors, when recommending a treatment differing from that generally 
adopted, should be careful to give details as to aspect and temperature, and 
to describe as nearly as possible the position the plants occupy, and above 
all to be very careful to state how long they have been imported. This 
last item is undoubtedly the greatest cue for an Orchid grower to follow. 
When an Orchid continues to flourish and to increase in size after about 
three years of cultivation in a certain house, that is proof sufficient that it 
is in the right place. 
In all departments the work will consist very much as advised for last 
month. It is yet too early to commence potting on a large scale. Simply 
keep a nice growing temperature and ventilate and water the plants care- 
fully, spending all spare time in cleaning and freeing the plants as much as 
possible from the parasites which infest them, for soon there will be but 
little time to spare in this direction. If thrip or aphis abound it may be 
necessary to fumigate as well as to use tobacco powder. I use at intervals, 
more as a preventative than to kill, “‘ Campbell’s rolls” or ‘‘ Richardson’s 
fumigating insecticide,” according to directions issued, and find them both 
very serviceable. For sponging plants it is better to use clear water, and 
do it frequently, rather than to use any of the many insecticides advertised, 
but in desperate cases, where insecticides are employed, care must be taken 
not to injure the plants by applying it too strong, using it in quantities 
rather under than over the directions given, always well drying it out from 
the young tender growths. 
What little re-potting or top-dressing can be done this month will be in 
the East Indian house, and Vandas, Angreecums, Phalenopses, &c., may be 
supplied with fresh sphagnum moss. It is best to carefully pick out from 
between the roots the old sphagnum moss, together with any loose crocks 
and charcoal, carefully replenishing with clean and fresh materials. It is 
not advisable to use peat for these Orchids. They should afterwards be 
placed in the warmest part of the house and given a moderate supply of 
water. Many of the Cypripediums, too, may now be re-potted when neces- 
sary, and that is when the pots are full of roots. Do not pot in too large 
pots and drain about one half full with crocks. 
Cypripediums like a compost of good lumpy peat and chopped iene 
num moss in equal parts, intermixed with a few finely broken crocks or 
charcoal. After re-potting keep the plants in a moist, warm, and genial 
temperature to encourage growth, keeping the compost itself moderately 
moist only until the roots have taken hold, Cypripediums flower better in 
small pots than in large ones. I often think that many species and hybrids. 
of this popular genus are grown too hot; such as C. insigne, C. Spiceria- 
num, C. villosum, C. Boxallii, C. venustum, C. barbatum, and C. Fairiea- 
