APRIL, 1907.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. Log 
work with pleasure, while Orchid lovers should, and I feel sure they do,. 
thoroughly appreciate such excellent work. 
he compost used by us is made up of two parts good turfy loam to one: 
part each of peat and leaf soil, mixed with a good deal of small crocks. In 
potting make the compost very firm, and work in right through it lumps of 
soft red brick, about the size of walnuts, which is helpful in keeping the 
soil porous, as during the season of growth they require copious supplies of 
water. A fair drainage is necessary, but do not give more than one-third 
the depth of pot, and allow room to surface with sphagnum. The best time 
to pot is when the young growths are about three inches high, and in 
potting shake out all the old material, as being strong feeders they soon: 
exhaust the compost: I have found that if we have ever left any plants for 
two seasons without potting, the foliage loses its healthy green colour, and 
the strength of the spikes and the size and substance of the flowers are con- 
siderably reduced. I know that many people would say a few waterings. 
with weak cow manure water would overcome this; it might, but I prefer 
growing all Orchids without the aid of any manure, as I would give 
them what they need in repotting each year. 
Most of these are of easy propagation; in fact with us they are con- 
stantly breaking back without any cutting, and in potting it is well to 
remove back breaks, and pot up separately, when they soon make flowering- 
sized plants. For some time after they have been disturbed, water only as. 
they become fairly dry ; damping freely between the pots and spraying 
overhead on favourable days will considerably assist them in making a good 
Start. 
It is all important that the house in which they are grown should bea 
buoyant one, such as the Cattleya house, as a stagnant atmosphere is most 
detrimental to them, and soon causes disfigured foliage. The species, 
P. Blumei, P. Wallichii, and P. grandifolius may be treated in a similar 
‘manner, except that I never found the need to introduce the pieces of brick 
into the compost, and they can be grown in a closer and denser atmosphere 
without any harm accruing. Both hybrids and species require well 
shading from all strong sunshine. 
The extraordinary hybrid Phaiocymbidium chardwarense we find grows. 
very well when treated in all respects like the Phaius hybrids, likewise the 
Phaio-calanthe hybrids, with the two exceptions that during the period 
after the completion of growth till the new growth again starts away water 
should only be given when they become well dry, and that when the 
flower spikes appear I have also found it necessary to give them rather 
warmer quarters, that is if the Cattleya house is maintained at a minimum 
of 58° during December and January. 
L2LIA PUMILA, PRESTANS, AND DayANa.—These are very beautiful 
