AucGusT, 1907.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 235 
items go so much hand in hand, that it is very difficult to touch upon one, 
without at least hinting at the other. Whatever the degree of temperature 
required there must be a proper amount of humidity in the atmosphere, 
and this is secured by a judicious control of the heating and ventilation, 
with the necessary damping down of the floors, stages, &c. 
It would be very misleading to say that this or that section will now 
require copious supplies of water; vigorous and well rooted plants may, 
but those that are weakly and have little root will be best suited if given 
water only as the compost becomes well dry. 
A great deal depends on the class of material used. If the peat was 
really good, and by that I mean practically all fibre, a plant will take water 
much more often than it would if the peat contained but little fibre. I 
strongly advocate giving plants that are growing vigorously plenty of water, 
providing the material is sufficiently porous to allow it to run freely 
through, but if inclined to be sodden one must avoid this in all cases, 
whether the plants are potted in peat or loam composts. 
CyPRIPEDES.—Most of the Cypripediums that were potted early in the 
year will now be well rooted, and it is during this month that growth is 
most active, so that every attention is necessary to see that they are not 
hindered through want of water. Any weakly varieties, or divided pieces 
that have not made much progress, should be removed to either the 
warmest corner, or into a house where they can have special attention. I 
never believe in allowing a sickly plant to die in the same place in which it 
was taken ill, and oftentimes a shift into another position—‘ it may be in 
the same house ”—will start it growing away again. At any rate when one 
sees that something is not right, a shift, before the malady has taken too 
firm a grip, is often a good step towards remedying the mischief. 
Cymprpiums that were~ potted early will’ likewise require water in 
abundance, if they have well recovered from being disturbed, and are 
making vigorous growth. Those that have not been potted this year, and 
have their pots full of roots, should on no account be allowed to become 
dry, for the quantity of large roots they make will be ample to keep the 
material from becoming sodden. 
CaTTLEYAS that are growing freely or developing their new pseudo- 
bulbs should have water freely; providing the material used was of a very 
fibrous nature. As the growths finish up on those varieties that take their 
rest between the time of making bulbs and flowering, gradually reduce the 
water supply, taking care that they have enough afforded to thoroughly 
develop the new pseudobulbs. Many consider that the new pseudobulbs 
are ripened with the aid of direct sunshine. To a certain extent I agree, 
but if the new bulb has been properly built up it will not want anything 
like so much sunning to give it the required solidity. I therefore advise 
