THE ORCHID REVIEW. 367 
decessors, though much of it is not on record in an accessible form. We 
will endeavour to give some additional facts in an early number.—Eb.| 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR DECEMBER. 
Pos ' By W. H. Wuire, Burford, Dorking. 
It is well known to all who have had experience in the cultivation of Orchids 
that abundance of light is indispensable to their well doing, and having now 
arrived at that period of the year when the least amount is at command, it 
becomes necessary to utilise it to the fullest extent. Immediately the large 
deciduous trees with which we are surrounded have cast off their leaves, we 
make it a practice to thoroughly wash all the houses, both inside and out. 
Here, where the atmosphere is nearly always clear, roof washing is only 
necessary once a year, but in the neighbourhood of large towns, where the 
atmosphere is charged with smoke, the houses will require more frequent 
cleansing on the outside. 
Previous to re-arranging the collection, the plants should be. carefully 
examined for any trace of insects, all dirt and dust sponged from the leaves, 
the pots washed—in fact, everything about the plants should be perfectly 
clean, for no plants present a more inviting appearance than Orchids where 
cleanliness and smart arrangement prevail. Orchid cleaning is tedious work, 
and only those who are interested in their welfare and have had some 
previous experience in the sponging of less valuable plants, should be trusted 
to clean the rare and choice varieties. It is no uncommon occurrence to 
see the leaves of such tender plants as Cypripedium bellatulum, niveum and 
concolor cracked, or those of Aérides, Vandas, Saccolabiums, etc., broken 
and split by careless and inexperienced workers, which disfigures the plants 
and causes much vexation to the grower, the damage being irreparable. 
In some collections there are houses where, through an inefficient 
heating apparatus, or an inadequate supply of piping, the proper tempera: 
- tures cannot be maintained during severe weather, except by continually 
driving the fires and keeping the pipes very hot, which is a great mistake, 
as Orchids quickly deteriorate under its dry dessicating influence. Unques- 
tionably it is of the greatest importance that Orchid growers should have 
ample means of heating the houses at command, as by having the requisite 
quantity of piping in each house, and keeping it fairly warm, a . - 
balmy and congenial atmosphere can be maintained than when the neating 
apparatus is inefficient. To assist in keeping up the temperatures In very 
cold weather, and at the same time to economise fire-heat, some eae 
leave their blinds up all the winter, so that they may be so a6 at nig te 
this purpose. But when used in this manner it frequently he — 
they are frozen so stiff that they cannot be pulled a4 woud 
: ; f the light, which is of so much 
o'clock, the plants thus losing the benefit o 4 
