Marcu, 1907.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 15 
been the best way of promoting good temperatures at this season, the plants 
getting the benefit of the sunlight while the houses are still comfortable. 
STIPPLING.—This is an important item in making good growing tem- 
peratures in most of the houses. I do not like to have to run the blinds 
down too early in the morning, and if a little stippling is put on the houses 
the temperature can be run up with sun heat, and no harm accrue to the 
plants. Then they can be raised again earlier in the afternoon than would 
be possible without some shading on the glass. I do not advise it being 
put on thick: just a faint covering over the inmates that object to much 
direct sunshine suffices. What we use at Gatton is only ordinary flour and 
water, mixed thin. That will be found to adhere, and if the glass is clean 
it will last the season. One thing in favour of this shading on wet days is 
that it is so transparent that little light is impeded. All shadings should 
now be fixed ready for use. 
A gradual rise in the temperatures may now be commenced, wae 
‘it as the days lengthen and the sun gets more power. It will also be 
beneficial to see that the houses are maintained in a more humid state, 
carefully observing before damping down late in the afternoon if there is 
any probability of a cold night. . 
DENDROBIUMS.—Towards the end of the month, many of these will be 
in a sufficiently advanced state of growth for the work of re-potting or 
surfacing to be taken in hand. In going through a collection of these it is 
not desirable to take them just as they come. The right time to pot is 
when new roots are in evidence at the base of the young growth, and some 
of the strong growing varieties will attain a height of eight or nine inches 
previous to rooting, and until then the grower should wait; if the plant 
has flowered this season. I have found this is not so important when 
dealing with young stock that have not been through the trying period of 
flowering. After a Dendrobium has been allowed to flower heavily, and 
perhaps may have been taken to an exhibition, its vitality is greatly 
reduced, and any little indiscretion, such as premature potting, will soon be 
seen in the ultimate condition of the plant. Again, by waiting for that time 
when new roots are ready to push out round the collar, the chances of 
losing the young growth by rotting off is reduced to a minimum. We 
generally make a point of getting all the young stock done first, and then 
go on and pot all that are ready of the flowering plants, picking out the 
others from time to time as the growths advance. 
The compost we use is made up of equal parts of good fibrous peat and 
chopped sphagnum, mixed together with plenty of sand and small crocks. 
In all cases we now use ordinary pots, in which a few crocks are first placed ; 
then they are about half filled with chopped rhizomes, and I do not think 
any Orchids appreciate rhizomes more than these. Vigorous young plants 
