THE ORCHID REVIEW. 119g 
anxiety we are sometimes tempted to turn a plant out and repot it when 
not actually necessary, perhaps just as it has fairly recovered from its 
previous disturbance, and is in the best possible condition for making rapid 
and vigorous growth. How often have we gone into the afore-mentioned 
general gardener’s Stove and there been struck by some specimen Orchid 
doing grandly, but which had practically taken care of itself for years and 
years. The conditions suited it perfectly well, and all it required was to be 
left alone to enjoy them uninterruptedly. 
New roots are now pushing forth in every direction, and so fast will be 
the growth at this season that it will keep one busy, as regards repotting, 
top-dressing, &c., to keep pace with the times. Let those plants that are 
singled out for repotting be done thoroughly and well, top-dressing only 
those that may reasonably be expected to pass another year in safety. I 
have spoken strongly against repotting if not really wanted, because, how- 
ever carefully it is done, it is apt to cause a check to the plants. But a 
time arrives when it is absolutely necessary, and delay is then still more 
dangerous. It is then the lesser of two evils, and we know what would 
happen to our choice Dendrobium species and hybrids if we failed to keep 
the compost in which they root perfectly sweet. Keep Dendrobes in small 
receptacles, and be very careful not to over-water at this early time of the 
year, or some of the more sensitive kinds will quickly damp off. Give them 
time to properly digest or cast off the effect of the last watering before 
repeating the same. On account of damping off, I prefer not to syringe 
Dendrobiums over-head for some time to come. 
Cattleyas and Lzlias must not be allowed to push their pseudobulbs 
too far over the rims of the pots before being taken in hand, or they will 
get in a bad way by exhaustion. It is never wise to let any Orchid become 
exhausted before repotting. The syringe may be used now pretty freely 
among Lelias and Cattleyas with beneficial results. For the coolest house, 
however, I would not advise over-head syringing just yet. 
ROYAL BOTANICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF 
MANCHESTER, 
THE spring exhibition of this Society was opened at the large room in the 
Manchester Town Hall on March 15th, and although nominally a show of 
spring flowers, the great feature was Orchids. These exhibitions have for 
some years been noted for the display of Orchids, but the present show 
surpasses any previous one in the number of plants in this section, and the 
quality is well maintained. Manchester has always been noted as a centre 
for Orchidists, but it seems lately to have even excelled itself, thanks, no 
