AUGUST, 1907.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 237 
should not be staged too thickly, for the more light and air that can reach 
the maturing bulb the better. 
SHADING.—The time for allowing the blinds down on the houses should 
now be gradually reduced, and making the change by easy degrees will 
benefit the inmates most. Where stippling has been used in conjunction 
with the blinds, it will be possible to admit a good deal of beneficial subdued 
light during this month and next, both morning and afternoon, only using 
the blinds during the middle part of the day. This, in addition to promot- 
ing good temperature, will considerably aid the proper development of the 
new growths. 
ODONTOGLOssUMsS.—Towards the end of this month I like to begin to 
admit a fair amount of light on to the Odontoglossums, as the young growths 
make much sturdier foliage when they are not too heavily shaded, from 
about the end of August. I do not advise admitting enough sunshine to 
cause the loss of a good deal of back foliage, but only enough to prevent 
the plants from producing such weak growths that when they are moved 
the leaves fall over the pots and soon become crippled. 
SOBRALIAS.—Any plants that require potting on, or dividing, should be 
attended to just when they are starting to throw up new reeds, after the 
flowering season is over. Speaking generally they are well suited when 
done this month. Being strong feeders, the compost should be of a reten- 
tive nature, such as one made up of three parts of good fibrous loam to one 
part each of peat and leaf soil, mixed together, with a liberal sprinkling of 
small crocks and coarse sand. A good drainage should be afforded, filling the 
pots at least one-third of their depth, over which place some very rough 
material. Pot firmly, keeping the compost rather below the rim of the pct. 
Large specimens that have exhausted the compost, if they cannot be potted 
on, should be carefully pulled to pieces, taking every care to preserve intact 
as many as possible of the youngest roots. It is well to remember that the 
outer parts of a specimen are the best pieces to use if it is desirable to 
rebuild a specimen. 
When the plants are being overhauled cut out all the growths that have 
produced flowers and neatly restake them. A position in the Cool inter-. 
mediate house will be found very suitable. They require liberal overhead 
syringing during the greater portion of the year, and constant observation 
is essential to see that the foliage does not become disfigured with thrip. 
Those that have been divided must be kept well-shaded for some time 
and freely syringed, but do not apply much water directly to the compost 
before the young roots have well taken hold. Other plants that have not 
been disturbed, and are well rooted, will be aided by being kept well supplied 
- with water, reducing the amount when the days are short and the light bad. 
Although the individual flowers only last’a few days, a batch of well-grown. 
