THE ORCHID REVIEW. 378 
one house, the hygrometer may show five, or at times even ten degrees of 
evaporation, and the plants will at the same time be the better for it, so 
long as they do not shrivel, because they will be more completely rested. 
In the Warm houses it sometimes happens that some portion is apt to 
become unduly dry, perhaps owing to a superabundance of hot water pipes 
at that point, or to some other cause. When such is the case there is 
always a danger of red spider appearing. To cause a nice atmosphere and 
to prevent this danger, it is a good plan to procure a few nice clean oak 
tree leaves, and place them at convenient places, keeping the same always 
moist. These, if freshly replenished at intervals, will maintain, what seems 
to me, a beautiful invig ing aromatic ph which cannot fail to be 
of service to the plants. On the other hand there are frequently some parts 
within a house which are very liable to become too wet or cold, owing to 
exactly opposite causes ; and here also every endeavour should be made to 
modify the effects by using water sparingly there, and by covering the glass 
outside, when the weather is cold, with garden mats or some other warm 
material. 
The Dendrobiums are now pashing. their flower buds. - The earliest of 
all to bloom should be D. ) and those several 
hybrids claiming it for a parent. These are wane pretty little things, easy 
to grow, and as free to flower. D. X Cassiope and D. X endocharis are 
even in bloom at this date, without wanting any extra warmth to bring out 
their flowers. Other hybrids and species will follow in due time. Do 
not hurry them too quickly. To keep up a succession of bloom a few of 
the earliest may be taken towards the end of this month from the green- 
house, or wherever they may be resting, and placed in intermediate tempera- 
ture, which is quite warm enough to bring on the flowers. Another batch 
may be taken a week or two later, and so on, but the majority should not 
be in flower, if possible, until February or March, particularly D. 
Wardianum, which is apt to come very early unless specially held in check: 
Should any of these Dendrobes flower prematurely early, do not attempt to 
force the growth by great heat directly the flowers have faded, but let them 
occupy cool quarters until later on in the spring. 
A supply of sphagnum moss should be got in readiness towards the end 
of this month so that there may be no occasion to stand still for want of 
compost when repotting commences in the new year. It sometimes happens 
then that no moss can be had until the frost breaks, which is often a long 
while. Amongst the earliest Orchids that will require repotting will be 
some of the Cypripediums which have finished flowering, such as C. insigne 
and its varieties and hybrids. Small hanging pans should be wired ready 
for the Dendrobiums, sticks painted, &c., &c., for there is but little time 
to do this work later on in the growing or potting season. 
