356 THE ORCHID. REVIEW. [DECEMBER, 1907, 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR DECEMBER. 
By W. P. Bounp, Gatton Park, Reigate. 
Durine this, the last month of the year many things may be done that 
will materially help us when the busy season again comes round. 
Previous to anything beyond the usual routine work, all the plants in 
the various houses should have been gone through and well cleaned, and 
the structures thoroughly washed inside and out. It will be necessary near 
smoky towns to wash the outsides whenever there is a deposit of filth on 
the glass. It is very disheartening work, but it is absolutely essential that 
the inmates should have the maximum amount of light during these short 
dull days, if they are to come through the winter season in good health. 
If there is any season in the Orchid year when improvements can be 
made it is the present one, and although I know full well it is not quite © 
Orchid culture, yet I see no reason why this should not come under the 
heading of work in the Orchid houses. What looks worse than to see under 
the stages bare ground? A small rockery along the edge of the paths 
would quite alter the ugly appearance so often seen. I do not advise 
building up concrete walls, with pockets, much preferring placing a few 
rough stones and working in among them some good retentive soil, in which 
may be planted the numerous varieties of Rex Begonias, ferns, &c., &c. It 
should not be carried high enough to impede the heat from the pipes—about 
12 inches will be ample, and use stones freely immediately on the edge of 
the paths, so that the water from damping down and washing out does not 
sodden the soil in which the plants are placed. It is very surprising how 
much this will alter the appearance of the houses when that barren place is. 
covered. 
Oftentimes there is an ugly bare wall which could be made very pleasing 
by planting Ficus repens, Pothos ceratocaulis, some of the scandent 
Epidendrums, or any other plant, for there are plenty to choose from 
according to individual taste. The point is to cover it up. Thena good stock. 
of pretty edging plants should be propagated, and all the old ones either 
thrown away or nsed for planting out under the stages. The plants used 
for this work should be those that do not want constantly picking over, and 
they must be such as will stand the frequent dampings between the Orchids- 
We find that young plants of such varieties as Ficus repens, F. radicans 
variegata, Asparagus albanensis, Rex Begonias in variety, Saintpaulia 
ionantha, and small ferns are all good, and as they become too large they 
are either thrown away or used for some other purpose ; the thing is to have 
young clean plants that do not want much attention. 
Some may say that Orchid houses are for Orchids, and such plants are 
intruders, but an edging of such plants is really a protection to the Orchid 
