THE ORCHID REVIEW. 121 
effect upon all Orchids. The foliage, which had become limp and flaccid, is 
fast regaining its stiffness. New roots are pushing forth together with new 
growths, and this is a most welcome sign. So fast will be the growth at 
this season, that it will be sharp work where large quantities of Orchids are 
grown to keep pace with the times, so far as repotting is concerned. 
Nearly everything will seem to claim attention at once, making the present 
a very busy and anxious time, as Orchids cannot be repotted and cleaned: 
so quickly as most other plants. The work, however, must not be at all 
scamped. Whatever plants are repotted, let them be done carefully and 
well, while those which can reasonably be expected to go through the 
season successfully without it should be left undisturbed, receiving only a 
little new material ‘placed lightly on the surface. 
Insect pests are now multiplying on every hand, and much of the future 
success depends upon keeping them in check at this season. Bear in mind 
that prevention is better than cure. I have previously stated methods 
whereby these may be destroyed, with the exception of ants, which up to 
within a few months ago defied every attempt to successfully dislodge them. 
I can now recommend a preparation known as the “ Ballakilraim Ant 
Poison,” procurable at Messrs. Alex. Cross & Sons, Glasgow, which is a 
simple, cheap, and most efficacious destroyer of these very troublesome 
little pests. 
We have now most of our Dendrobiums in their growing quarters. 
Careful watering must be practised at present, until the new growths, are 
nicely up and rooting. There is not so much fear of Dendrobiums of the 
Wardianum or nobile sections damping off when young, as there is with such 
species as D. macrophyllum and D. Bensoniz. With these two latter, 
especially if they have been repotted, it is necessary to be very cautious in 
giving water, and giving them the hottest part of the house. The last- 
named species is very susceptible to injury from cold; it should therefore 
never be removed from the warm house, not even for a short time when in 
flower. It succeeds best if grown in very small pans or baskets, and is now 
showing its flower-buds. D. Dalhousieanum, D. Parishii, D. X Nestor and 
D. primulinum are others in flower at this date, and should at once be 
started to grow in the hottest department. 
Dendrobium Loddigesii is extremely pretty when well-flowered, and to 
attain this end it is best to give it a long dry rest in intermediate 
temperature, just giving water enough to prevent excessive shrivelling, until 
the outline of the flower-buds can be discerned, otherwise what should be 
flowers turns to growth. This species, like D. Falconeri, makes a number of 
new growths anywhere on the pseudobulbs, all of which should be allowed 
to grow. D. Falconeri is now showing flower-buds, and may receive more 
water. It is best grown suspended in a shady part of the Cattleya house. 
Dendrobium thyrsiflorum and D. densiflorum will likewise be showing for 
Pia tate 
