48 THE ORCHID REVIEW. {Feprvuary, 1906, 
could be used instead of these, the weak point in this most excellent shading 
would be overcome. The fixing of these blinds is a matter of some con- 
sideration, and one which will permit of a great amount of discussion. On ; 
houses of great dimensions six inches from the glass would seem a reason- 
able distance to fix them, but on small houses having the plants standing ‘ 
well up to the glass, a foot away would not be too much. Again, where 
coolness as well as shade is a desideratum, even higher than a foot is to be 
‘recommended. A blind—whether of tiffany, wood, or bamboo—if 
allowed to lie on the glass, gives shade and prevents scorching, but the 
glass is kept very hot, and this is most enervating to the piants, especially 
if they are standing close to it. I have had some experience of tiffany 
lying on the glass and over the top ventilators, which are practically useless _ 
in consequence, as no air can get in or out through the cloth.. When the 
sun is shining during the summer months on a house as described, the air 
inside smells more like that in a super-heated mushroom-pit than anything 
else. For shade-loving, pseudobulbl plants, such as Phalanopsis, — 
Angrecums, Aérides, many Vandas and. Cypripediums, the tiffany blind” 
may be recommended, as, while giving light, the direct rays of the sun 
never touch the leaves. But it is in the spring that shading gives the 
Orchid grower the most care. Imagine a beautiful, clear, sunny day, and 
a keen, cutting, east wind. The sun is just a little too bright to be safe, so 
down must come the blinds, and with them the temperatures in the houses, 
which must then be maintained by artificial means. We shut out the light 
and natural heat so much to be desired, and resort to fire heat. so much to 
be condemned. For this absurd state of affairs there is no practical 
solution, for a series of blinds of different thick is quite impracti ble, 
and therefore out of the question. The question of shading is a most — 
important one to the Orchid grower, for good blinds sensibly adjusted — 
will make the growing conditions of a house good, while carelessness im 
this respect will make them bad. j 
TEMPERATURES.—The mean temperature in the houses this month will 
be considerably higher than last, as the result of the increasing strength 
of the sun, but the temperatures provided artificially may remain as advised 
last month. The general directions as to ventilating and damping given 
last month may also be followed—but only in their wider sense. . 
MISCELLANEOUS.—Such obvious work as tying-up spikes as they 
advance, or lowering them from the glass, as may be wanted in the case of 
hanging plants, such as Phalenopsis, need hardly be mentioned here- 
Calanthes of the deciduous section will now have nearly All passed out of } 
flower, and will require no more water until being repotted. Plants that © 
are coming into flower should have good positions afforded them, where ~ 
they can be seen to advantage. ; 
