THE ORCHID REVIEW. 57 
distressing signs of exhaustion, as excessive shrivelling or immature decay 
of the pseudobulbs, and some of the roots, the thin flimsy foliage more or 
less spotted with disease, and other evident signs of loss of vitality produced 
by a false impression or an utter disregard of their natural requirements. 
To secure such ideal plants, it becomes necessary to grow each 
individual one as hardy as its constitution will permit. Asa general rule, 
the days in their native habitat are hot, but the nights are cold, therefore 
we may allow the sun free play during this month to brighten and warm 
up the temperature of our houses, of course regulating the same in each 
compartment with a greater or lesser supply of fresh air, according to 
circumstances. If the ventilation is properly done, enough will be admitted 
to prevent anything like a stuffy or forcing atmosphere. If the days are 
sunless, no attempt must be made to keep up such a high temperature as 
on sunny days, but the figures recommended for last month should be 
observed. The same night temperatures should be continued, always, 
maintaining bottom ventilation whenever the outside weather will permit. 
Various species may appear to be ready and willing to grow apace, but 
they must still undergo the same steady, quiet, winter treatment, which 
alone will keep them sturdy and healthy. All the necessary growth 
requirements can be supplied later on, and the result will be thick, sturdy 
pseudobulbs of about the same dimensions as the imported ones, well- 
matured by the extra light, heat, and air then available. 
Scarcely can it be said that any re-potting need take place this month 
unless it is those of the Cypripediums which have done blooming and 
require more pot room, and these may be done now. Cypripediums 
require a reasonable amount of pot room for their roots, though they may 
easily be over-potted, and it is best to err on the side of a pot too 
small rather than one over large. A _ plant with too much pot 
room, even though it might grow well, would never flower so freely 
as one rather cramped for space. A compost well suiting the 
requirements of these plants, with but few exceptions, is one composed of 
about two parts of lumpy peat—not necessarily the best fibrous quality— 
one part of chopped sphagnum moss, and the fourth part made up with a 
little turfy fibrous loam, broken charcoal and mortar rubbish, the whole 
being well mixed together, forming a body containing sufficient food stuff 
for their general requirements. A few bones and other manures mixed in 
has been tried, but with doubtful success, and anything stronger than the 
above I cannot recommend. The pots, which of course, must always be 
perfectly clean, should be filled, one third with drainage, covered -with a 
thin layer of moss, after which the necessary compost should be added, 
making it moderately firm, and leaving the crown of the plant about level 
with the rim of the pot. After re-potting, keep moist to prevent shrivelling 
