THE ORCHID REVIEW. 87 
degree of warmth, it is better to make use of the roller blinds rather than 
to allow the temperature to become overheated, or to try to reduce the 
same by putting on an over-abundance of top air. 
Ventilating by means of the top lights is accompanied by a considerable 
amount of risk during this and the following month, and if indulged in, it 
should be done most sparingly, otherwise the cold draughts resulting are 
the means of checking tender growths, and the atmospheric moisture is too 
rapidly transformed. There is nothing like admitting air at the bottom 
ventilators, I mean by box-like contrivances let in through the walls 
opposite the hot water pipes. The atmosphere is thus kept pure and 
sweet, and in a more uniformly moist and growing condition. 
Damping down between the pots and all other spaces available may 
now be done two, or even three times daily, just in accordance with the 
conditions prevailing outside. Orchids can be, and often are, injured and 
sometimes killed outright by over-saturation of the compost in which they 
grow. But never are they injured by the moisture arising from the 
evaporation of water distributed on the stages, floors, walls, &c. They 
grow not so much upon the water given them at the root, as upon that 
which they derive from the atmosphere. If, therefore, the latter contains 
plenty of moisture, and is at the same time freely but judiciously charged 
with fresh air let in from the outside, and principally through the bottom 
ventilators, which contain their food supply, and from which they draw 
all that is necessary for their well being, then, and then only, is the 
foundation laid upon which to build future success. 
Speaking of moisture, don’t let me be misunderstood. Steam, I 
suppose, is moisture, but this I deprecate to the fullest extent. No matter 
how it is caused, whether by water coming in contact with the hot water 
pipes, or by a hot pipe running through the soft water tank, or by any other 
means ; I am confident it is no good to the plants, but on the other hand is 
frequently the forerunner of “spot” in its many forms. For this reason I 
am not quite so partial to evaporating troughs as I used to be, and though I 
am not in a position to condemn them, so far as Orchids are concerned, yet 
I will advise that they be not used over abundantly. 
Work in re-potting commences now in earnest. Take, for instance, the 
Mexican Lelias. The first and foremost among these is L. anceps and its 
numerous varieties. They should be taken in hand, and after being over- 
hauled and well cleansed from all traces of that particular scale to which 
they are liable, should be re-potted. Take care to perform this operation in 
a thorough and workman like manner, so that it does not again become 
necessary to disturb their roots for at least three years. If the plant is a 
large one, the several pieces forming it should be placed together skilfully, 
so as to make a neat handsome specimen that will take up the least amount 
