FEBRUARY, I1910.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 47 
keeping the plants clean, and tying up spikes, but a few may require 
potting, and can be done as advised last month. Keep a sharp watch for 
thrip, and fumigate with XL All compound at the first appearance of 
this pest. During mild weather the top ventilators may be opened a little 
during the warmest part of the day, on the opposite side of the house to 
which the wind is blowing, as well as the bottom ventilators. Damping 
down of the houses may now be done twice a day, in the morning and again 
about two o’clock in the afternoon, and the floors again about five o’clock. 
On bright days the plants may be sprayed overhead lightly two or three 
times a day; on a dull day once will suffice. 
TEMPERATURES will be higher this month owing to the lengthening of 
the days, and increase of the sun’s power, but the figures given last month 
will be suitable for this month when artificial heat has to be used. Be 
careful not to have too much fire in the morning, in case the day is sunny. 
Itis a waste of fuel, and the houses get too hot, which does a great deal of 
harm. 
SHADING.—The time of year is approaching when we should expect to 
have the blinds in use. These should be got in order so that they can be 
used at any time. The days are lengthening and the sun increasing in 
strength, and upon a bright day the blinds will be wanted if only for an 
pe especially after a period of very dull weather. ; 
A WONDERFUL GROUP OF CYPRIPEDIUMS.—Under this title appears 
the following note by Mr. H. J. Chapman in the Gardeners’ Magazine for 
December 25th (p. 1006): ‘‘ I have on many occasions referred to the value 
of winter-flowering Cypripediums for cultivation in the neighbourhood of 
large towns and in smoky manufacturing districts, but I never felt this claim 
to be so great as I did at the Manchester and North of England Society’s 
meeting held in the Corn Exchange on December 16th. Some dozen or 
more groups of Orchids were exhibited from amateurs who do not employ a 
gardener, as well as from prominent growers, such as Mr. O. O. Wrigley, 
of Bury, who had some hundreds of flowers displayed in a tastefully- 
arranged group. But it was to the remarkable group of Cypripediums from 
the collection of Samuel Gratrix, Esq., of Whalley Range, Manchester (gr, 
Mr. Shill), that my attention was particularly directed. In all my experience 
I have never seen such a quantity of remarkably choice kinds displayed 
together, and the Society’s Gold Medal was never more deservedly given 
than on that occasion.” He then proceeds to enumerate some of the 
principal kinds, concluding: ‘‘ The whole of the plants were well grown, 
and the flowers fine in substance, reflecting the greatest credit upon Mr. 
Shill’s ability in producing, even under such unfavourable atmospheric 
conditions, flowers of such quality that they were the envy of all.” 
