344 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
temperatures in the various compartments, but also to withhold atmospheric 
moisture to such an extent that the hygrometer shows a few degrees of 
evaporation. We find this instrument very useful, especially through the 
winter and during severe frosts, without which it is impossible to ascertain 
the exact state of the atmosphere so far as moisture is concerned. On 
referring to my note-book on observations taken last winter, I find that 
generally the first damping down in the morning brought the hygrometer to 
almost saturation point, but gradually diminished towards midday, when it 
showed 4° or 5° of evaporation. The afternoon’s damping brought it to 
nearly saturation again, and by ten p.m. it showed 3°. During the night, 
when a large amount of fire-heat was necessary, it varied considerably, 
fluctuating between 2° and 5° of evaporation. These remarks refer to the 
warmer divisions only. The cool houses were nearly always within 3° of 
Saturation. Owing to the diminishing heat and assistance obtainable from 
the sun, we shall, from now and for the next few months to come, be 
obliged to look to the heating apparatus to keep up the requisite tempera- 
tures in our Orchid houses, both by day and night. The winter tempera- 
tures and general directions given in the Calendar for January should be 
closely followed. 
It is a true saying that the Orchid grower has innumerable enemies 
to contend with, beth by day and night, and he must constantly be at war 
against them. One of the most destructive pests imaginable is the voracious 
cockroach, which eats off the tender points of the young roots, attacks the 
flower stems, often destroying the season’s inflorescence in one single night. 
In consequence of the increasing need of artificial heat, these trouble- 
Some insects become exceedingly numerous, and as they multiply so plenti- 
fully they must, at any cost or extra labour, be kept in check, or a great 
deal of irreparable damage will soon be done. Before finishing up at night 
these insects should be diligently sought after with the aid of a good lantern, 
and every one that can be got at destroyed. Also bait them with beetle 
poison, of which there are several excellent kinds, though it is not advisable 
to lay it down every night, as they get so used to seeing it about that in 4 
Short time none of them will touch it. Two or three doses in a fortnight 
will be sufficient, occasionally substituting one kind of poison for another, 
which is very enticing to them. This change of food is oftentimes the 
means of destroying a great many. Cockroaches are particularly fond of 
the roots of Aérides, Saccolabiums, and Phalznopses, also the young leaves 
of Dendrobium Bensoniz, for which reason these plants should be looked 
over with more than usual vigilance. 
A few seasons back it was considered a rare treat to see the true old 
Cattleya labiata in bloom, but thanks to our energetic and persevering 
Orchid collectors, it has now become plentiful, so much so that we s¢€ 
it represented in almost every collection, whereas formerly only a few plants 
