THE ORCHID REVIEW. 249 
may receive a chill, and possibly many of the most valuable become spotted 
and irretrievably ruined. Therefore it is even better to use the smallest 
possible amount of fire-heat in the warmer houses at night than none at all. 
There are, of course, exceptional times when fire-heat must be discontinued, 
especially when any alterations or additions are made to the heating 
apparatus, when the atmosphere should be kept proportionately dryer, by 
damping down earlier in-the afternoon, and using less water than usual. By 
closing up the house with sun-heat a fairly warm temperature can be main- 
tained during the early hours of the night. Before finishing up, say at 10 
p-m., put some top-ventilation on, to carry off any superfluous moisture. 
It is now the best time of yearjto overhaul and put the heating apparatus in 
working order, so as to make sure that the maintenance of the proper tempera- 
tures can be obtained when required. A matter of considerable importance, 
when the weather is suitable, is to thoroughly cleanse out the pipes and boilers, 
making sure if possible that no accumulation of dirt or sediment remains at 
the bottom of the boiler. If this is neglected the probabilities are that the 
fire will burn through at the spot where the dirt has settled, causing the 
boiler to break down just when the weather is most severe. Examine and 
test all pipes, and if any of them are cracked, or if there be any loose or 
worn-out packing in the joints, these should be repaired at once. At the 
same time see that the valves and air-taps work easily. 
A few of the deciduous Dendrobiums, as D. Wardianum, crassinode, 
aureum, &c., will now be finishing up this season’s growth, and as soon 
as the terminal leaf is completed, gradually diminish the quantity of 
water at the root; but the plants should not be allowed to become too dry at 
this stage, or they will start again into growth, and fail to produce their 
full complement of flowers. Neither should they be removed from their 
growing quarters immediately growth is made, for it will be observed that 
many of the earlier roots are sending forth a quantity of lateral rootlets, 
which must be encouraged as far as possible, as much depends on them for 
the quality of the blooms. When these young rootlets have a firm hold of 
the compost it will be time to.remove the plants to a cooler and drier 
atmosphere. It is not advisable to expose them to full sunshine at once, 
but the shading must be gradually reduced, by letting the blinds down an 
hour later in the morning, and pulling them up earlier than usual in the 
afternoon, until it can be dispensed with altogether. When fully exposed to 
the sun’s rays, the leaves soon turn yellow, and, although unsightly, should 
not be cut off, but allowed to fall off naturally. Water must now be care- 
fully given, as oftentimes the sphagnum on the surface appears to be quite 
dry while underneath it is the reverse. If the roots are kept in a constantly 
Moist condition when the plants are at rest, they will prematurely decay ; at 
is therefore safer to err on the dry than on the wet side. Once a week will 
be sufficient until the flower buds show, when more will be required. Give 
