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JANUARY, 1911] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 19 
WATERING must still be done with caution, and much the same as has 
been recommended in previous Calendars. Let no plant suffer from too 
little or too much water. It has been said that the whole secret of 
successful plant culture is knowing when to withhold and when to apply 
water, andas the conditions v -y so much in the different houses in which 
we grow our plants, it is im’ sible for anyone to lay down a definite law 
as to when it should be applied, and I am afraid that all will have to learn 
this for themselves. 
InsEcTs.—Keep a sharp look out for all kinds of insect pests, for 
cleanliness is of the greatest importance. All arrears of winter cleaning 
should be brought to a conclusion as soon as possible; all paint and the 
glass inside and out should be thoroughly scrubbed and every plant 
properly cleaned, as a little extra attention in this direction at this time of 
year saves a great deal of labour hereafter, when other things are more 
pressing. 
SLUGS AND COCKROACHES must be kept down at all costs, for it is 
us2less to attempt to grow Orchids in a house infested with these pests, as 
they devour roots, flower spikes, and, in fact, almost everything. 
Coot HovsE.—In the Cool house many things are at rest, but others 
are on the move, and the principal work will be to give due attention to 
the watering, and keeping the atmosphere in a sweet and healthy condition. 
The plants, as they commence to grow, may be kept rather moister than 
before. 3 
OpontTocLossuMs.—Any Odontoglossums that were missed at the _ 
autumn potting may be potted towards the end of the month. The 
compost I use, and which I find quite satisfactory, is equal parts of peat 
(from which all the fine particles have been taken), polypodium fibre, 
osmunda fibre, and sphagnum moss, mixed all together, with a fair amount 
of drainage in the bottom of the pots. All newly-potted plants should be 
kept on the dry side until the roots can be seen to be pushing through the 
soil or compost. A few Odontoglossums are now in bloom, and with 
Masdevallia tovarensis, Schroederiana, and a few others, make up a nice 
show to enliven the house at this time of year. 
INTERMEDIATE HOUSE.—In the Intermediate house the Cypripediums 
will be making a brave show. All flower spikes should be neatly staked as 
soon as they are long enough. I am taking it for granted that the plants 
were thoroughly cleaned and overhauled before any commenced to show 
their spikes. The plants should be raised up to the glass, so that every 
plant receives the maximum amount of light possible. As the winter- 
flowering kinds pass out. of bloom any that require repotting should have 
attention, using the following mixture: Two parts best fibrous peat, one 
part polypodium fibre, and one part fibrous loam, with a liberal mixture 
