344 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR NOVEMBER. 
By H. A. BURBERRY, Highbury, Moor Green, Birmingham. 
THE temperatures for this month should be allowed a fall of a few degrees, 
not exceeding tive, below those given for last month, due regard being had 
to the outside conditions. 
A good deal of attention should now be given to the atmosphere of the 
houses. By all means avoid a fiery dry air when strong heat from the 
pipes is necessary, judiciously damping down once or twice a day as may 
Seem necessary. On the other hand avoid an atmosphere overladen with 
moisture during damp mild weather, when but little fire heat is needed, 
for at such times very little damping down should be done. Whole days 
may probably pass by when it may be inadvisable to use a drop of water for 
such a purpose. It is impossible to write down instructions which are 
applicable to all cases, and the cultivator must use his discretion to some 
extent as to when damping down is necessary. Excessive drought causes 
the plants to lose vitality, whilst excessive moisture is a prolific source of 
spot, and other diseases. The coolest houses, where less artificial warmth 
is necessary, are those demanding the least amount of moisture. 
Watering is another matter which must be done very carefully at this 
season. Even those plants which are in growth during the winter, such as 
Odontoglossum crispum, will require comparatively little, while all those 
species having a decided season of rest will require much less. Enough, 
however, must be supplied to keep the pseudobulbs quite plump. Once a 
week, or once in two or three weeks, may suffice, according to the weather 
and the strength of the plants. I recommend generally when giving a 
plant water to do it thoroughly, but there are exceptions to this rule also. 
For instance, when a plant is in a large receptacle, which necessitates a 
large mass of compost, it often becomes advisable, especially at this dull 
time of year, to moisten the surface of the compost only, for if the whole 
body is saturated a long period must elapse before it again evaporates. If 
there should be a doubt as to a plant being sufficiently dry to require 
watering let it remain until the following day. Always bear in mind that 
plants in small baskets or pots require more frequent watering than those 
in large ones. Should the water by any means lodge in the young growths 
at this season, make it a practice to get it out at once. 
It is better to suspend all repotting operations for the winter, for great 
risks are run if the roots are then disturbed. It may be done with greater 
impunity and less risk in localities where the maximum amount of light is to 
be had than in large commercial centres, where the atmosphere is 
necessarily much heavier. On the whole it is exceedingly bad practice to 
repot in winter. Newly-imported plants must, however, be attended to 
without delay. Clean them and pot them up, if only temporarily, and 
place them at once in their respective houses. Keep the surrounding 
