JaNnuaRY, 1910.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 15 
working the new compost carefully among the roots to avoid breaking them. 
If an increase of stock of any particular plant is required, and it is strong 
enough to do so, divide the growths carefully with a sharp knife by cutting 
through the rhizome, being careful that each growth can be divided with a 
root attached to each. The divisions should be put into pots just large 
enough to hold them, and should be watered carefully till they have filled 
the pot with roots, when they should be shifted on into larger pots, in which 
they will probably flower next season. 
A suitable compost consists of one third each of good fibrous loam, with 
the dust shaken out, good peat, and fresh chopped sphagnum moss. The 
loam and peat should be broken into pieces about the size of a walnut. 
Mix well together, and let it get warmed thoroughly before using. Fill the pots’ 
about one third full of crocks, and pot firmly, but not too hard. If you tell 
some people to pot firmly they think you mean hard, and ram the compost 
into the pots as if a steam roller had to go over them. In potting a 
Cypripedium, if it has any roots at all, pot just firmly enough to allow the 
pot to be lifted by catching hold of the plant without pulling it out of the 
pot. The test should not apply to heavy plants. 
CYPRIPEDIUM SEEDLINGS should be placed in the warmest house and 
kept growing, potting on those that require it, and using the compost 
recommended above, but in a smaller state, to suit the size of the pots. Be 
careful to avoid giving a check in any way. Keep thrip off them by 
fumigating with X.L. All compound. Thrips seem to be very fond of the 
sweet leaves of Cypripedium seedlings, and must be kept off at all cost, or 
total loss will be the result. 
DENDROBIUMS.—Many established Dendrobiums are now showing their 
flower buds, and it is a good plan to move the most forward at intervals 
from their resting quarters into a little more heat, as by doing this the 
flowering period is greatly extended. Take care that the plants do not 
have too much heat and moisture, or they will start too rapidly into growth, 
to the detriment of the flowers. Do not give much water at the root, just 
enough to keep the bulbs plump, for if they have too much the buds either 
turn yellow and drop off or the flowers are lacking in substance, and do not 
last as long in bloom. Newly imported plants should be laid upon a stage 
in an Intermediate house for a few days after arrival. They should then be 
well looked over, cutting away any decayed portions with a sharp knife, and 
also be well washed with a solution of insecticide. After they have dried 
they should be potted up into pots just large enough to hold them. Place 
a stick firmly to each, and tie the plants securely tothem. Fill the pot 
about half full of crocks and bring the compost up to the base of the bulbs. 
Be careful not to bury the base of the bulb or else rot will set in, and most 
probably cause the loss of the entire plant. They should be kept in an 
