I4 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [JANUARY, 1912 
absence of hairs on the upper margin of the petals, but the peculiarity does 
not extend to the lower margin, which is closely set with minute short hairs. 
This character was noticed in the hybrid, and a closer examination showed 
that it was also present in C. tonsum. C. Nellie, as thus seen, is a very 
bright and attractive hybrid, with a marked resemblance to C. Charles- 
worthii in the colour of the dorsal sepal. The leaf is tessellated about as 
strongly asin C. Harrisianum. The figures, of course, are greatly reduced. 
THE AMATEUR’S COLLECTION. 
By C. ALtwyn Harrison, F.R.H.S. 
CooL House. 
‘Tuts totally unseasonable weather is most detrimental to the welfare of our 
plants, and the only point which can be urged in its favour is, that less 
artificial heating need be maintained. An average temperature of 48° Fahr. 
by night and 53° by day is ample, and this can now be easily maintained 
without the need of large fires. At this season of the year little air can 
generally be given, but during this spell of mild weather, plenty can be 
admitted. The house should always be sufficiently ventilated to prevent it 
feeling at all stuffy. All growing plants must be kept damp, but as they do 
not dry quickly now, less will be needed than in cold frosty weather. A 
_safe rule for beginners may be thus expressed :— 
Water all plants in active growth every two or three days, those in spike 
.or flower daily, but those at rest only once weekly. When watering a plant, 
always remember to give enough to moisten the whole compost, not merely 
sufficient to wet the surface, as the moss above will not give a clear indica. 
tion of the compost about the plant’s roots beneath. Beginners often lose 
plants because an appearance of adequate dampness is given by the surface 
soil, whilst the roots below are dust dry. During this dull weather, overhead 
syringing is best dispensed with. 
This is now a good time tothoroughly clean the inside of the houses, 
wash pots, sponge leaves, and remove all dead and decayed bulbs and roots. 
I ama strong advocate of syringing between the pots once a week through- 
-out the year with liquid insecticide, especially directing it between the cross 
pieces of the staging, for prevention is better than cure. It need not be 
remarked that the spray must not be allowed to lodge on the leaves, but 
should be done just over the level of the wood-work. 
The operation of potting can now be started. All autumn-flowering 
Cypripediums which are needing a shift should now receive attention. 
‘Carefully remove them from the old pot, trim all dead roots off, remove 
decayed leaves, and separate the portions which are crowded in the centre. 
Fill the fresh pot one-third full of clean crocks, and on these set the plant, 
so placing the various portions that they have room to develop in all direc- 
