THE ORCHID REVIEW. 345 
conditions as evenly balanced as possible, for extremes in wet or drought 
would be very injurious to them at this stage. As soon as there are signs 
of such plants starting to grow see that they are encouraged to do so, even 
though the time may be mid-winter. Under these conditions newly- 
imported plants arriving in the autumn or early winter may probably pull 
through successfully. 
The several departments, if not already done, should be gone through 
and well washed and cleaned, the glass and woodwork, both inside and out, 
being attended to, and the walls lime-washed, while the plants themselves 
should not escape a searching examination for scale, thrip, and other insect 
pests. A thorough good cleaning periodically not only increases the light, 
which is so much needed in winter, but is invaluable as a means of keeping 
that troublesome army of ants, cockroaches, wood-lice, slugs, &c., 
effectually in check. 
The inmates of the Cool house were troubled somewhat during the very 
hot weather in September, resulting in the loss of a few leaves, though, with 
this exception, no serious injury was noticed. But the cooler weather 
which came with the month of October was decidedly welcomed for this 
particular class of plants, and they are now looking none the worse. Avoid 
much damping down in this department. It must not be thought that 
because a good deal of moisture is beneficial in summer that it is likewise 
needed in winter. The air in this country is generally as fully charged with 
moisture in the winter as it is on the mountains in South America, from 
whence these cool Orchids come, so that, while this moist air can be 
admitted freely through the ventilators, and very little fire heat is needed, 
scarcely any damping down is required. When the external temperature is 
above 45°, air may be admitted freely, but when it is below this, more care 
is necessary to prevent the fresh air entering directly upon the plants. 
During very cold weather, when little or no air can be admitted, then is the 
time for damping down, so that the atmosphere shall register only 1° to 2° 
of evaporation; or, in other words, the dry bulb of the hygrometer shall 
show 1° or 2° warmer than the wet bulb. In order to bring about these 
figures, damping once or twice a day in hard weather is generally desirable. 
A good many flower-spikes are now making their appearance in this 
department, and among them are Oncidium varicosum and O, Forbesii. 
These two species, I find, expand their flowers much better if given a tem- 
perature a trifle warmer, otherwise the flower buds are apt to turn yellow 
and drop. They are best to remain there throughout the winter ; but if 
space does not permit, they may be returned to the coolest house with 
perfect safety if kept on the dry side. Oncidium ornithorhynchum is also 
now making a good show, and is best under the above warmer winter treat- 
ment. O. tigrinum, O. crispum, O. Gravesianum, and O. macranthum are 
others about to open their lovely flowers ; also those three pretty little Cool 
