APRIL, 1913.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 11g 
houses, ever in the same locality, vary considerably in their power of 
retaining moisture. As regards damping down I like to do this about 9.30 
a.m., before the shading is lowered, thoroughly wetting the path, staging, 
pots, and earth underneath. If handy, this operation can be more quickly 
and effectively performed if a hose with a fine spray is used than by mere 
syringing. Damping should be done again about three p.m., when the 
blind is raised, and this time the plants themselves may receive a slight 
sprinkling. Be careful to use only rain water for application to the plants, 
and probably for the spraying of the Orchids a fine syringe will be best. 
Cymbidiums Lowianum and Tracyanum will probably be opening their 
buds, and considering that, if kept cool and dry, the blooms will remain 
eight to ten weeks in perfection, they are without doubt some of the best 
for amateurs’ collections. Lycaste Skinneri, also, should be in bloom 
during this month, and its fleshy pink flowers possess long lasting qualities. 
‘Care must be taken to prevent any water from touching the blossoms, 
or they will immediately become spotted with brown, and be disfigured. 
This is a suitable season for procuring any imported Cool house 
Orchids, as many cases of them arrive during this month. As soon as any 
plants are received, pot them up singly in pots small in proportion to their 
size, and only in crocks. Give only enough water to prevent the bulbs 
from shrivelling, but damp surroundings are necessary. After several 
‘weeks young roots will be seen to be forming, and then the plants should 
be repotted as practised for established Orchids, and treated accordingly, 
with perhaps a slight increase in the amount of crocks employed, and a 
small decrease in the supply of water. 
SUGGESTED ADDITIONS. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM EXIMIUM.—This is a magnificent secondary hybrid 
raised from O. crispum and ardentissimum, which is a robust-growing 
plant, and produces in the spring months a long flower spike, bearing large 
well-shaped blooms, the sepals and petals of which are white, more or less 
Spotted with reddish brown, whilst the lip is similarly coloured, and has a 
beautiful yellow crest. It has been in existence several years, and healthy 
Seedlings, which would blossom from their next bulb, can be procured at a 
Teasonable price. 
INCONSTANCY OF UNIT-CHARACTERS.—To the mutationist unit-characters 
are as changeless as atoms and as uniform as the capacity of a quart 
Measure. . . . Actual unit characters are modifiable under selection ; 
only one blindly devoted to a contrary theory will be able long to shut his 
yes to this fact. For several years I have been engaged in attempts to 
modify unit-characters of various sorts by selection and in every case I have 
Met with success.—CASTLE. 
