JANuaRy, 1913.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 27 
is wonderful the effect of a single ventilator being open on the inside of 
the house, even for half an hour during the day, if only open, say, a quarter 
of an inch. To those who are troubled with houses that feel stuffy and 
oppressive I would recommend the experiment of admitting more air both 
during the night as well as by day. Draughts, however, must be avoided, 
as these are highly injurious to all plant life. 
ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE must be regulated according to the outside 
conditions. Should the weather be clear and bright, or should it be 
necessary to use much fire heat, more moisture is required than is necessary 
when the outside atmosphere is heavily charged with moisture. The great 
thing to avoid at all times is a low temperature heavily charged with 
. moisture, many so-called diseases of plants are attributable to houses being 
kept in this condition. 
WATERING.—At this season of the year the greatest care must be taken 
in watering the plants, as this is the great secret of successful cultivation. 
An excess of water causes the roots to decay, and an insufficiency causes 
them to wither and die, and the loss of roots to any plant spells disaster. 
Plants differ so much, even of the same species, in the amount of moisture 
they are capable of taking up that the grower must use his own powers of 
observation as to whether they require water or not. The condition 
of the compost in which the plant is growing has to be taken into 
consideration, as some composts retain water more than others. At this 
season it is wise to err on the side of carefulness. Avoid a water-logged, 
saturated compost at all times. 
ODONTOGLOs3uUMs that are showing for flower should be carefully and 
neatly staked up as the spikes become long enough. They are best set by 
themselves when done, so that they can be examined from time to time 
for slugs, which devour the spikes and do irreparable harm. Small, weakly 
plants should have their spikes removed as soon as they show, as these 
plants should not be allowed to flower until they get fairly strong, and then 
only be allowed to produce one or two flowers. The house should be 
vapourized from time to time as a preventive against thrip and other 
pests. Many plants towards the end of the month will be starting into: 
growth, and may be repotted, but it is not wise to do them until they get 
into the desired condition, namely, when they are about to push new roots. 
MILTONIAs that are now growing in the Intermediate house, exposed to 
all the light possible, may have water afforded them whenever they become 
dry. The compost should be allowed to get into this condition between 
each operation. The usual precaution against thrip—the arch enemy of 
this plant—-must be taken, as, if allowed to obtain a foothold at this season 
it will disfigure the leaves and do much harm. 
CaTTLEyas.—The present month is the quietest in the whole year for 
