380 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [DECEMBER, I913. 
THE AMATEUR’S COLLECTION. 
By C. ALwyn Harrison, F.R.H.S. 
Now that the days are short and the cold weather is close upon us, it is 
obvious that less air can be given, but, to prevent stagnation of the 
atmosphere, endeavour to have the bottom ventilators open, if only for an 
hour or two, every day, and by the employment of a little extra heat in the 
pipes this should be possible, except in exceptionally severe weather. 
Endeavour to keep the temperatures as even as possible, regarding 50° 
Fahr. by day and 47° at night as the irreducible minimum. Cool house 
Orchids can be grown where the thermometer is kept between 40° and 45° 
Fahr. throughout the winter months, but one can better describe the plants 
as existing rather than flourishing in such a low temperature, and I am 
convinced that the nearer the temperature is kept to 50° Fahr. the sturdier 
will be the growth of the plants. 
Continue to clean and tie up the flowers of the winter-flowering 
Cypripediums, and look over this class with special attention, as they are 
subject to attacks of thrip. Any that are over should be moved to the 
cooler end of the house, and kept rather on the dry side as regards watering. 
Damping down should only. be done on fine days, and the plants themselves 
must not receive any overhead syringing, as any water remaining in the 
axils of the leaves or centre of new growths is liable to cause decay. 
This is the best month to thoroughly clean the house, for, with the 
advent of the new year, other important details will have to be performed. 
The walls and staging of the house should be well washed with a strong 
solution of insecticide, and previous to rearranging the plants scrub every 
pot and dip each Orchid head downwards in a pail of weak tepid ‘‘ Abol ” 
solution, taking care not to allow the soil to become wet. Then sponge the 
plant with tepid rain water, remove any dead bulbs and leaves, and place it 
in its correct position. All Orchids in bud or which are completing their 
growth should be grouped together at the warmest end of the house, and 
so placed that they each get the maximum amount of light. For this 
reason the roof glass should be repeatedly washed inside and out, taking 
care to remove the green slimy matter which collects under the laps of the 
glass. This will enable any atmospheric moisture which collects to pass 
away, and prevent drip. 
Fire heat can be to some extent economised, and assistance given in 
maintaining an even temperature, by lowering the blinds at night, or 
covering the roof glass with thick mats. These should, however, be 
removed early in the morning, so as not to prevent any possible light from 
reaching the plants. 
The house should be well supplied with flowering plants at this season, 
