346 : THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
such like that are growing should be arranged together, and so on. Take 
care and do not place the Miltonia vexillarias in too moist a part, rather 
preferring a dry postion. Then again, if such kinds as Dendrobium 
J i D.i Oncidium cheirophorum, Nanodes Meduse, 
Masdevallia tovarensis, M. Shuttleworthii, M. Chimera, &c., have been 
summering in the coolest house, as is some times done, they will now 
require to be removed back to the Intermediate house. I think, also, that 
the Cool house is too much during winter for Oncidium Forbesii. The 
Cymbidiums I am leaving this year in the Cool house, and they seem to be 
stronger for it. The Anguloas always remain here at the driest end, and 
henceforth will be kept pretty dry at bas Toot. It is better also to find a 
rather dry position for the E Li for if the moisture 
hangs about them much during winter it causes an unnecessary loss of 
foliage. 
Lelia anceps, and the other winter flowering short bulbed Lelias, will 
give the next big show of flower. They are now fast pushing up their 
spikes. L. autumnalis and L. albida are, I think, the most difficult of these 
kinds to keep long in first rate condition; but with plenty of light and air, 
even these will submit to cultivation, and grow fairly satisfactorily. When 
the growing conditions are near the mark and they deteriorate, then the 
chief cause undoubtedly is that they are allowed to over flower themselves. 
What will a strong pseudobulb not do? I have seen spikes so thick and 
long, that, if tested, I know would often weigh three or four times as much 
as the bulb and leaf together from which they sprang. That is, of course, 
well and good for the time being; but it must not happen too often. 
Doubtless the same plant, or portion of the plant, will the following year 
produce another spike, but from a bulb naturally greatly reduced by the 
last great strain. Should this small bulb be allowed to carry its spike to 
a flowering stage, in spite of its present exhausted state, the fate of 
that plant is practically sealed ; it is doomed to enter a stage from which it 
will be a difficult task to redeem it. This is not giving them a fair chance. 
Remember to call in the Orchid grower’s greatest friend, fresh air, at all 
times when it can reasonably be done. For warm growing kinds the top 
ventilators if opened must, of course, be done with a good deal of caution, 
but for the Cool house kinds, supposing the outside temperature is not lower 
than 45°, plenty of ventilation should always be had, both top and bottom. 
When it is below that figure it is best to open the ventilators on the 
leeward side only. A sure sign of insufficient air is when the tips of the 
Odontoglossum leaves decay and require trimming up, or when a mildewy 
spot comes upon them. Most of these species are growing throughout the 
winter, but nevertheless must be watered very carefully, and not kept 
water-logged, as used to be the custom. 
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