88 ' THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
repotted before blooming then otherwise, but not unless the roots do begin 
to push freely. 
As before mentioned, the pots should always be perfectly clean, also the 
crocks. I prefer after placing a large piece or two of crock over the hole, 
to use all the other drainage broken up very small, as the compost seems to 
last longer in a firmer and sweeter condition if so drained. All plants not 
deemed necessary to repot should be top-dressed with fresh sphagnum moss 
as they are starting away to grow. It not only gives them a much nicer 
appearance, but the sweet moss about them really does them a great deal 
of good, being an encouragement to renewed root action. On examination 
it can usually be pretty quickly decided whether top-dressing only is 
requisite or not, for although the surface of the old compost may appear 
more or less dead and exhausted, it is soon apparent on its removal whether 
that which is beneath is in any degree sound and porous and capable of 
doing service for another season or not. One accustomed to Orchids can 
easily tell this at sight before handling the plants, as the compost, although 
looking old, shows unmistakeable signs of whether the air and water can 
pass through or not. 
Thunias are now just starting to grow, and should be potted with one or 
more stems, as desired, in pots, well drained, and ina compost rather richer 
than employed for most Orchids. I like a little fibrous yellow loam mixed 
with an equal portion of lumpy peat, and sufficient coarse sand to keep the 
whole open. This should be pressed down very firmly. A very little water 
will be required for some time at the root, but the pots should be placed in 
a very sunny position, such as a shelf near the glass, and the plantssyringed 
occasionally, which will be all the watering they need have until rooted. 
The best temperature to grow them in is intermediate, or if one possess 4 
proper Mexican house no better place could be provided. Exactly such a 
position best suits the Pleiones, which are now growing apace, and should be 
syringed frequently and kept regularly moist at the root. 
The mention of the Mexican house reminds me of what a wonderfully 
useful one it is, and I would advise all lovers of Orchids not having one 
already to provide one by hook or by crook. They may easily do s0, if 
only by petitioning off a portion of an already existing structure. What 
is meant by a Mexican house is simply one in which no shade whatever 
is used, not even during the hottest time of the summer, which means, of 
course, that someone must be close at hand always, to put on very large 
supplies of air, and to frequently distribute abundant supplies of moisture, 
otherwise the plants grown therein may be very quickly baked up 2” 
spoilt, in which case the owner would be better without such a house. 
Still, if a Mexican house is properly handled, it is wonderful how hard 
and perfectly healthy are the plants so cultivated. Lelia anceps, and 
