a4 THE. ORCHID REVIEW. [JANUARY, 1913. 
in complex hybrids, the latter being sometimes very marked, and plants 
raised between two cross-breds of fine quality were sometimes very bad, or 
with only an occasional fine novelty among them. 
The afternoon session commenced with an excellent paper on Some 
Epiphytal Orchids, by Mr. H. G. Alexander, Orchid grower to Lt.-Col. Sir 
‘G. L. Holford, Westonbirt. One of the points emphasised by the lecturer 
was the uselessness of growing Orchids according to a fixed schedule. The 
position and aspect of the house, and the proximity of trees or buildings, 
must be taken into consideration. Light was a most essential factor, and 
should be afforded on all possible occasions. Orchids, when heavily shaded, 
often formed weak growths, but the more light and sun, within reason, gave 
an improved constitution, with stronger inflorescences, and more lasting 
flowers. Lighter houses were needed, and fixed shading should be avoided. 
Full and free ventilation should be given whenever possible. Epiphytes in 
their native homes were exposed to a constant current of air, and we should 
copy nature by allowing plenty of ventilation, avoiding, however, cold 
‘draughts and sudden falls of temperature. Orchids were generally grown 
in too high a temperature. Epiphytes are largely dependent upon good 
roots being formed, and a suitable condition of the atmosphere as regards 
moisture was of far greater importance than any special rooting compost. 
‘Succulent materials, such as leaf-mould, should be avoided, and over- 
watering carefully guarded against, as it led to the decay of the roots. 
Rain-water should be used wherever possible. Excessive drying during the 
resting period was to be deprecated. The use of manures was strongly 
objected to, and experiments he had made always pointed to disastrous 
results. In conclusion Mr. Alexander said that heat, air, light, and 
moisture, with close observation and light houses, held the secret of success. 
In answer to inquiries, Mr. Alexander stated that at Westonbirt a house 
was specially devoted to Vanda ccerulea, that some of the plants exhibited 
in the Hall had been grown for thirteen years but the majority for five to 
ten years, and that they were grown in an intermediate temperature, with 
a minimum of 50° Fahr., and the moisture always kept in accordance with 
the heat, a most important matter. It was remarkable that the finest 
plants always grew near to the ventilators. Sir Harry J. Veitch remarked 
that one of the best collectors once told him that the finest Vanda coerulea 
grew in Nature on trees that were isolated, and it was a common sight to 
see peasants or regiments of soldiers on the march wearing a spray of the 
Vanda. The paper led to a very interesting discussion, in which Messrs. 
J- O’Brien, J. Fraser, W. H. Hatcher, W. Cobb, Gurney Wilson, A. A. 
McBean, and de Barri Crawshay took part. The Chairman, in proposing 
a vote of thanks to the lecturer, said that people with small collections 
