May, 1906.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 131 
the direction to keep in. In painting and overhauling our houses recently, 
we had the moisture-holding stage removed from one of our Odontoglossum 
houses, and, instead, placed a ‘‘break-heat ” right down on the pipes, of 
just sufficient width to overlap them. The plants now dry out much more 
than before, and the whole house feels atmospherically lighter. 
Where large-growing Cool house Orchids are to have justice done to 
them, it is really very necessary to grow them in a house of roomy 
dimensions, but there are not many growers who care much for the house 
with centre staging, because there is always one side being shaded. But 
the large house, built at the proper elevation, and in the right position, 
does Odontoglossums splendidly, and more so after they have been in 
cultivation here for several years after importing, and are well furnished 
with foliage, &c. The producing of large specimens is really much 
encouraged when a house is at hand suitable for the purpose. 
I should have hesitation in giving measurements for a large house, as 
so much will depend on individual requirements, and anyone contemplating 
building one would be well advised to visit an Orchid establishment of 
repute, and there take measurements, effecting an alteration, or improve- 
ment, where it suggested itself. It is not a good plan to trust to the horti- 
cultural builder, as he has no feeling in the matter, and can only judge 
things architecturally. 
Houses should be fitted with top and bottom ventilators, and each 
should have a tank for storing rain water. 
J. M. Brack. 
Streatham. 
NOVELTIES. 
THE first issue of the Kew Bulletin for 1906, which has just appeared, con- 
tains a decade of New Orchids, which, with two exceptions, are in cul- 
tivation. 
PLEUROTHALLIS VENOSA, Rolfe.—A species introduced by Messrs. 
Sander, with whom it flowered in October, 1890. It is allied to P. 
Jamieson, Lindl., and has stems six to nine inches high, lanceolate-oblong 
leaves, some five to eight inches long, and slender racemes, rather shorter 
than the leaves, of numerous greenish flowers, with three dusky brown lines 
on the sepals, and one on the petals.—Kew Bull., 1906, p. 30. 
CrYPTOPHORANTHUS Moorel, Rolfe.—A species allied to C. hypodiscus, 
Rolfe, having a dull purple perianth, about j-inch long, and undulate wings 
to the ovary. It was introduced by Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., in 1884, and 
flowered at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, in September, 1899.— 
1.c., p. 30. “4 
