JULY, 1910.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. . 197 
abundant moisture may be cleared out of the growths with a small paint 
brush, but it is still better not to let it accumulate at all. 
The staging is of open woodwork, and there is an under-stage of large 
porous tiles on a rough wooden frame immediately above the pipes, and 
about 18in. below the plants. The under-stage is about 2ft. wide, and does 
not reach the walls of the house. The floor of the house is earth and 
gravel. : 
All water for the plants is taken from rain water casks collecting from 
the roof of the dwelling-house. I once found a house painter on the point 
of washing a very dirty paint brush and can in the cask. I-am sorry to say 
that it is only by constant watching when workmen are about the place that 
I can keep the casks from contamination with paint, oil, mortar, &c. Water 
for the plants always stands in the Orchid house for at least 24 hours before 
use. Ordinary white earthenware slop-pails are very good for containing 
the water, as they cannot contaminate the water, and when filling them any 
harmful matter is seen at once. On one occasion I watered a pot of C. 
concolor accidentally with ice cold water; by following this up at once with 
a large amount of water at the correct temperature no harm ensued. 
Water is given to the plants about two or three times a week as they 
seem to need it. It is hardly possible to say how often plants should be 
watered, that depends on the size, rate and stage of growth and the species 
of the plant. The size of the pot, the nature of the compost, and the time 
of year are also important factors. In short, each plant must be treated 
individually. I find that most Cypripedes will stand being kept rather dry 
at the root for several days if necessary. Ona very cold day in winter, or 
if the temperature of the house is too low, I never hesitate to postpone 
watering to another day, even if the plants are fairly dry. 
For two years past I have been experimenting on a method of watering 
which has been successful in my hands, and I will describe this after I have 
given an account of the system I employ in potting C. bellatulum, its allies, 
and some others. 
I have tried the use of manure (sheep) water on a good many plants, but 
I was never very sure that it did any good, and it certainly seemed to render 
the compost more likely to go wrong. 
A manure which I have used and am inclined to think is worth further 
trial is the whole natural waste of the plants, dead leaves, flower stalks, old 
roots, &c., reduced to pure ash, not merely carbonised. A little of this ash 
is sprinkled on the compost of a plant that is making growth after watering. 
I keep the debris of each class of plants separate, and use Cypripedium ash 
only for Cypripedes. From the experiments I have made I imagine that 
this method may be almost more useful for Epiphytes, to which I under- 
stand there is at times a difficulty in supplying as much suitable food 
