THE ORCHID REVIEW. 365 
such being the case, very little water should be distributed. On the other 
hand, should a large amount of fire heat be called for, see that the 
atmosphere does not become too parched and arid; but be careful also that 
such moisture does not take the form of steam, by the water coming into 
contact with the hot-water pipes, or by any other means, because, if so, 
something is almost sure to go wrong, sooner or later, and the right cause 
may not be suspected. 
All growth is, of course, practically at a stand-still during this month, 
even more so than last, therefore my remarks as to the necessity of 
allowing the plants to repose, and keeping them free from all exciting 
influences should be the more strictly observed. You cannot force Orchids 
to grow against their will. You may, perhaps, assist a flower or a spike of 
flowers to expand a little earlier than it would otherwise do, by subjecting 
the plant to a slight additional warmth, which is all well and good, but try 
to have in bloom by Christmas, something which does not appear naturally 
until February or March, and note the dismal failure, a result, too, in most 
cases, not again redeemed by any amount of good culture. 
The above remarks apply to Orchids generally, but if one genus had to 
be singled out as suffering more than another from forcing tactics, I should 
certainly name the Dendrobiums. And, as many of these are just now 
pushing forth flower buds from the nodes, and new growths from the base, 
I may once more say, don’t force them by taking them too soon into heat, 
but allow them to come on gradually, but surely, in their own particular 
department. 
Some of the Cypripediums are invaluable for winter blooming, and none 
more so than the well-known C. insigne and its many varieties ; even the 
most common is acceptable at this season. There are also C. villosum and 
C. Spicerianum, not to mention other species, and the enormous number 
of hybrids—too numerous to mention—in which the above three species are 
more or less represented, form a most imposing array, and an agreeable 
variation of form and colour in our houses just now. I think when 
Cypripediums are arranged with other more brilliant and showy pet 
they are placed at a great disadvantage, and that the best way to Bs 
appreciate the varied forms and colours of this particular class at om 
Season, is to place them together, with no other species to bass c 
Certainly they then form a very pretty and attractive display, a s ore 
be largely grown, especially in localities troubled with injurious ef 
they are much less delicate than the majority of Orchid flowers, and rarely 
suffer much. 
The potting of Cypripediums should take 
have passed away, at whatever time of the year 
it need only be done when the plant has out-grown 
place soon after the blooms 
that may chance to be, and 
its pot, or when it may 
