168 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
of the magnificent Orchidacee of Mexico and Guatemala, a work of which it 
is hard to say whether the beauty of the subjects represented, the execution 
of the figures, or the taste and judgment displayed in the typographical 
department is most to be admired.” 
(To be continued.) 
ODONTOGLOSSUM LEAVES DECAYING AT THE TIPS. 
Many will be sorry to see from the ORcHID Review for February (p. 39) that 
such a shrewd and intelligent Orchid grower as Mr. De B. Crawshay has 
got the above complaint, not ‘‘ disease.” 
When we go out on a cold morning the parts where we find the cold 
most severe is at our extremities—toes and fingers. I think it is the same 
with the Odontos; so many try to grow them in far too low a temperature, 
and with the occasional very low minimum reached, sometimes even as low 
as 40°, the tips of the leaves become injured. 
What gardener has not experienced the same complaint with other 
plants? Dracznas even, and often Clivias, when near the roof glass, and 
the temperature falls lower than it should do, have the tips of the leaves 
killed. Some think, because the various plants are very accommodating, 
they will stand a few hours low temperature, say, in the mornings, but 
something is sure to show itself in time. I might name other plants with 
thinner leaves than the above that are affected through low temperatures, 
but enough has been said to show my meaning. : 
I may be wrong, but I have felt for years that the temperatures advised 
by Calendar writers are far too low. Tell me of a good Odontoglossum 
grower, and I will go and see his plants, and find his houses far warmer 
than where Odontos are miserable looking objects, and upon asking his mini- 
mum in the mornings he will say above 50° on the coldest mornings. Who 
ever has seen a flower spike in bloom looking really happy at 50° to 55° ? 
But try 60° and see how beautiful they are. I would say, let those who have 
the above complaint try more heat and air at the bottom ventilators, with 
plenty of atmospheric moisture, and see the difference in growth. It is not 
a matter of growing cheaply, coal saving, as Odontos don’t grow in a cool 
treatment, but the reverse, namely, stand still. 
Then the potting material is often blamed. Why, the finest Odonto- 
‘glossum crispum I ever met with were potted in pure sphagnum, by Mr. 
Shuttleworth, when he was partner to Charlesworth & Co., but their heat or 
temperature was then, as now, decidedly warmer than is mostly seen or 
heard of in Calendars. 
endiet: Jas. HAMILTON. 
Duns, N.B. 
