180 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
been exceedingly difficult to keep the temperature down, and only by ample 
ventilation, heavy shading, and a plentiful supply of moisture, could it be 
effected. A lean-to house, facing north, or north-east, is no doubt the best 
position for the charming Andine species during a hot, dry summer. 
The enthusiastic grower will certainly find great pleasure in looking 
over his collection, and noticing that almost every day some plant has 
made a fresh start, either by sending out new roots, young growths, or 
producing its charming flower-spikes. It is therefore a good time to 
caution him against the practice of allowing the spikes to remain on too 
long, as is frequently the case, "greatly to the detriment of the plants, 
causing them to shrivel, and leaving them in such a debilitated state that 
they are scarcely able to form new growth, and often gradually dwindle 
away. Undoubtedly it conduces greatly to the health of the plant if the 
flower spikes are cut off after a reasonable length of time. Small and 
weakly plants invariably suffer if allowed to bloom at all; consequently 
it is advisable to remove their flower spikes immediately they appear. By 
giving the plants a fair amount of rest, and afterwards gradually starting 
them into growth, many valuable plants may be saved and brought round 
to their normal condition of health. 
Now that the majority of the Cattleyas and Lzlias have commenced 
their growing season, I earnestly recommend a sharp look out for that 
terrible pest, the Cattleya fly. On recently looking through a well-culti- 
vated collection of Orchids, I was told by the gardener that his plants were 
sorely afflicted by the larvz of this fly. A few months ago nothing of this 
was observed, until several newly imported species of Cattleya were bought, 
and as soon as these began to grow the young shoots began to swell and to 
show no inclination of making any further progress. These shoots were 
cut off, examined, and there was found this destructive pest. Very soon 
afterwards, other plants became similarly affected, and the young growths 
were immediately cut off and burnt. This seems to be the only effectual 
means of exterminating the pest. Another remedy is to slightly fumigate 
the house with tobacco smoke just before sunset every evening. I am told 
that it is principally at this time that the fly is at work, going from plant to 
plant depositing its eggs. Fumigation cannot possibly affect the grub 
concealed in the young growths, but it will often prevent the fly from 
obtaining a footing upon others. I cannot too fully impress upon your 
readers the advisability of thoroughly examining and cleaning each and 
every plant that is added to the collection, because if these pests be once 
allowed sufficient time to establish themselves it is almost impossible to 
complete their destruction before a very considerable amount of damage has 
been done, and many a valuable plant irretrievably ruined. 
_ By this time Cattleya gigas, C. Dowiana and its beautiful variety aurea 
will be fast finishing up their young flowering growths, and to the yours 
