May, Igto.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 143 
tendency is then for them to produce flowers instead of growth. This 
method is practised in the East Indies when the dry season has not been 
sufficient for the production of flowers. 
The Orchid houses at the garden are built with a so-called double roof, 
there being a space of four inches between. The inside roof is glazed with 
ground glass, so as to reduce the rays of the sun when the shades are not in 
use. With this double roof sudden changes of temperature, which occur 
frequently, are easily overcome. 
The European method of cultivation is practically revolutionised in the 
States, especially watering. Instead of using the utmost zeal with a 
watering can, the infallible hose, with a fine rose adjustment, is attached to 
the faucet. What would be the result if English Orchid growers were to 
spray their Vandas in this fashion, or have a house full of Cattleyas planted 
on ordinary rafts? Well! needless to mention! ! 
G. H. PRING. 
COMPOST FOR CALANTHES. 
DIFFERENCES of opinion exist as to the cause of “spot” in Calanthes, but 
a note by Mr. H. J. Chapman in a recent issue of the Gardeners’ Magazine 
suggests that the nature of the compost has some influence on its presence 
or absence. He remarks :—‘‘ I have produced some of the finest Calanthes 
I have ever grown with nothing more than turfy loam and sand, and the 
plants showed no sign of the dreaded spot. When I first took charge of 
the collection here I used what most growers would consider the proper 
compost, i.¢., turfy loam, fibrous peat, chopped sphagnum, some dried cow 
manure, coarse sand, and broken crocks. For the first season or two we 
had a fair amount of success. It was theh -decidéd that more turfy loam 
should be added. The first season gave us every encouragement until the 
new pseudo-bulbs commenced to form. The foliage then showed tiny 
white specks, which in due course showed the breaking up of the tissues, 
and finally the plants were almost ruined by the disfiguring black spot. 
A portion of the plants and those that had the previous year been badly 
affected were selected for treatment in a lighter and more open compost of 
Osmunda fibre, peat, and a little chopped sphagnum and broken crocks, and 
the result was so satisfactory that for the last two or three seasons nothing 
has been used but the light, open compost, and, notwithstanding the bad 
summer and unfavourable autumn, our Calanthes have never been so fine 
as they were this winter. I give these experiences as an object-lesson to . 
those in charge of plants. As the time has now arrived when the various 
species and hybrids will require repotting I would certainly advise that 
Joam should be:altogether omitted from the,compost where there has been 
any difficulty experienced from spotting, and a good open and porous one 
be tried on some of the plants, at least for a season.” 
