May, 1gtc.} THE ORCHID REVIEW. 157 
was bought as a seedling from D. Wiganie X nobile some time ago. It is 
most like the former, the colour being light yellow, with a pair of eye-like 
maroon blotches on the disc of the lip. It is a form of D. x Cookson 
(Orchid Stud-Book, p. 266). 
THE AMATEUR’S COLLECTION. 
May is probably the best month of the year so far as the Cool house is 
concerned, and there is now a wealth of Odontoglossum bloom where these 
beautiful plants are well looked after, the species and hybrids now in bloom 
being much too numerous to particularise. A genial growing atmosphere 
should be maintained, and fluctuations of temperature should be avoided 
as much as possible. Masdevallias of the Coccinea group and a few other 
things are also making a good show. The temperatures should not be 
allowed to fall too much during cold nights, but the fires should be kept 
low in the mornings when a spell of sunshine quickly runs the temperature 
up. This should be avoided as much as possible by a prompt use of the 
blinds. Intermittent sunshine, especially when accompanied by cold winds, 
calls for constant vigilance on the part of the grower. A sharp watch must 
be kept for insect pests, and the customary remedies applied when necessary. 
It is advisable not to leave the spikes on the plants too long, especially in 
the case of choice or weak varieties. Various plants which were placed in 
the Intermediate house for the winter may now be returned to the Cool 
house, where everything that prefers a low summer temperature will succeed 
best. 
In the Intermediate house there is also a profusion of flowers, including 
the spring-flowering Cattleyas, species and hybrids, Dendrobium infundi- 
bulum and thyrsiflorum, various Oncidiums and Ccelogynes, Miltonia 
vexillaria, Odontoglossum citrosmum, Cymbidium. Lowianum and 
eburneum, Lycaste Skinneri, Sobralia macrantha, Maxillarias and other 
showy things. Plants that are growing should be well looked after in the 
matter of watering to prevent a check, and attention generally should be 
paid to keeping the atmosphere ina suitable condition by judicious shading, 
damping down, and ventilation. This is specially important in the case of 
plants that flower on completion of the growth before resting, as Cattleya 
Warscewiczii, C. Dowiana, and C. x Hardyana. 
In the Warm house Chysis bractescens, species and hybrids of Phaius, 
and various other things will be in bloom. Dendrobiums will now be 
mostly over and preparing for the period of active growth. Shading and 
ventilation will require full attention, and the house should be shut up 
early enough in the afternoon to retain a little of the sun-heat, which, in 
connection with a moist atmosphere, does so much to promote vigorous 
growth. 
