January, 1912.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 19 
TEMPERATURES.—To those who may not have the figures given last 
January, I now repeat them :— 
Cool house: day, 50° to 55°, with sun 60° ; night, 50°. 
Intermediate house: day, 60° to 65°, with sun 66°; night, 57° to 608. 
Cattleya and Mexican house: day, 60° to 65°, with sun, 68° ; night, 58° 
to 60°. 
East Indian house: day, 65° to 70°, with sun, 75° ; night, 65°. 
In speaking of temperatures, these figures are only given as a guide, and 
no harm will occur if they vary one or two degrees either way. I think it is 
impossible to keep houses at a fixed figure in all kinds of weather. 7 
VENTILATION is essential on all favourable occasions. I am a firm 
believer in fresh air for our plants, as 1 believe a stuffy stagnant atmosphere 
most injurious. Discrimination, however, must be used in the admission of 
air, so that no plant is placed in a draught, as draughts are most injurious. 
ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE must be regulated according to the weather 
conditions. If much fire heat has to be used, more moisture is required to 
counteract it, but the great thing to avoid is a house over-laden with 
moisture, and a low temperature. On entering a house that is in such a 
state, one feels as if suddenly wrapped in a cold wet blanket. 
WATERING.— During the spell of wet sunless weather we have just passed 
through, the watering of our plants has required much attention. The 
greatest mistake possible at this season, is that of affording too much water 
at the root. It not only does the plant much harm, but destroys the com- 
post, and with it the roots. To my mind the greatest responsibility rests 
_on those who are entrusted with the watering of valuable plants. Should 
there be any doubts as to a plant requiring water, pass it over until you are 
thoroughly convinced it requires it. Again, much damage may be caused by 
-some plant receiving an insufficient supply of water, and the would-be 
successful Orchid grower must learn from experience. Intelligence bestowed 
on the.watering of our plants, is the great secret of successful cultivation. 
There are always some inmates of the various houses that should have water 
all the year round, of course in moderate quantities during the dull winter 
months. In applying water always take care to saturate the compost. I 
am not a believer in dribbling water on the top, which often fails to reach 
the roots, especially if the compost has by any means got over-dry. 
OpONTOGLOSsUMS.—Many of these will now be pushing up their flower 
spikes, which, as soon as they are long enough, should be neatly staked up. 
The plants should be examined from time to time for slugs, which devour 
spikes, and thereby spoil the whole season’s work. In the Cool house many 
things are just starting into growth, and will soon be ready for repotting, 
but do not hurry them. The principal work in the Cool house will be in 
keeping the atmosphere in a sweet and healthy condition. 
