76 THE ORCHID REVIEW. (MaRrcH, rg1t. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR MARCH. 
By J. T. BARKER, THE WeEsT HILL, HESSLE, E. YORKS. 
‘TEMPERATURES.—These should be kept a little higher all round than the 
figures given in January, even without sun heat, and when the sun shines 
the rise will, of course, be considerable, which will do a great deal of good, 
and be of great benefit to the plants. 
ATMOSPHERE.— Moisture, with the increased temperatures, may now be 
distributed more freely. The fire heat by night, and the increased sun power 
by day, will be the means of the moisture evaporating quickly, and damping 
down twice a day should not now be too much. In any case it must be 
done once daily, and that when the temperatures have risen to their proper 
level in the morning. 
WATERING must still be performed with care and discrimination. Ifthe 
compost should not be dry enough to require it, leave it over until the next 
time, always remembering that it is easier to make it wet than to get it dry 
again, and much damage is often done at this time of year, both to old and 
young roots, by a compost saturated with water. I do not believe in 
sprinkling the surface of the compost, but let the plants get thoroughly dry 
between each operation, and then give them a good soaking. Dribbling is as 
injurious to Orchids as to any other class of plants. If the proper balance 
of atmospheric moisture is maintained, no harm will occur to plants being 
on the dry side, even for a day or two. 
VENTILATION.—-At no time of year must more care and attention be 
given to this essential detail. Air must be admitted on all favourable 
occasions, and whenever the outside conditions permit. Fresh air gives 
strength to plants, but it must, of course, be admitted with caution now, as 
they are naturally more delicate and tender after the winter’s comparative 
confinement. In no case should draughts of cold air be permitted, and 
a great deal of discretion must be used in the ventilation of the different 
houses. . 
STOKING also requires particular care at this season. A fair amount of 
artificial warmth will still be required at night, but during sunny days the 
less in the pipes the better, or the temperatures will rise to an abnormal 
‘degree, and to reduce it will require some thought and judgment. Excessive 
fluctuations in temperature are often the cause of much damage being done. 
' SHADING.—In some parts cf the country shading will come into general 
use this month, but I do not believe in an excessive use of the blinds at this 
early date, though we must bear in mind that the leaves and bulbs of our 
plants are tender and easily scorched. 
REPOTTING.—Push on with this whenever possible, and in my opinion 
any plant that is not doing satisfactorily is best repotted at this time of year, 
