JULY, 1906.) THE ORCHID REVIEW. 203. 
delicate culture of Orchids. After seven years devoted to the study of this 
subject, I hope at least to have fixed the principles which are to be applied 
in order to attain rapidly to the solution of these practical problems. 
NoEL BERNARD, 
Maitre de conférences a la Faculté des Sciences 
Caen (Calvados) France. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR JULY. 
By J. M. Brack, Streatham. 
THERE was once a time that between the spring and early summer-flower- 
ing Cattleyas and Lelias and those that flower in the autumn a gap 
existed, but this gap has in recent years been filled up by hybrids between 
the late-flowering and early-flowering species. The long-bulbed, summer 
flowering section of Cattleyas has been most useful for linking up the two. 
We have now a series of hybrids following each other in flower throughout 
the summer, and practically unbroken throughout the whole year. Those 
hybrids which have for one of their parents C. Loddigesii, C. Leopoldi, C. 
granulosa, C. bicolor, or any other of the diphyllous, long-bulbed group 
of Cattleya, finish their pseudobulbs and flower straight away, with hardly 
any waiting in sheath; but that is no reason why some little difference 
should not be made in their treatment at this period. When we are 
satisfied that the pseudobulb has made sufficient progress, which, in most 
cases, will be when the base of the sheath can be seen, a modified ripening 
up process may commence. It would be difficult to say off-hand what the 
optimum growing conditions of these plants are, but we can safely assume 
that a lower temperature, more light, more air, and less moisture, both 
atmospherically and at the root, than go to make up these conditions will 
be best suited for flower production. Although we know perfectly well that 
the closing up of the houses in the afternoon gives an impetus to growing 
plants, we cannot imagine it being good for the plant which wants its. 
energy for the building up of its inflorescence. At this period it would seem 
reason to suppose that the plant does not want further inciting to vegetate,. 
but instead wants putting into training, to use a sporting phrase, for the 
effort which is awaiting it. All gardeners know that forced flowers have not 
the colour and texture of those allowed to mature naturally. 
When the sheath is well up I should advise that the plants be removed. 
to one end of the house, so that they can receive more air, and, in conjunc- 
tion, more sunning ; they should at this stage be flooded with as much light 
as the foliage will stand. By this means the tissue will become firm and 
ripened, and good blooms will follow. To ripen the plant after it has 
flowered will be locking the stable door after the horse has been stolen. It. 
