THE ORCHID REVIEW. 367 
remarks at page 227. It is a striking portrait, and forms a fitting climax to 
the discussion on the question, and, as pointed out, will form a very useful 
standard of comparison for the future. 
The appearance of the beautiful Cattleya x Maroni affords another 
illustration of the rapid progress being made in hybridising Orchids, and 
the award of a First-class Certificate from the R. H. S. was fully deserved. 
In some respects it affords a little surprise, for it seems to be a strong 
grower, which can hardly be said of either of its parents. The flowers, too, 
are better than one would have expected, probably because the parents are 
sufficiently alike in colour not to neutralise and spoil each other, as some- 
times happens. Those who are fortunate enough to have these two plants 
flowering together should take the hint, for Cattleyas are not very rapidly 
propagated by division. M. Maron must be congratulated on this fine 
acquisition. ARGUS. 
CALENDER OF OPERATIONS FOR DECEMBER. 
By H. A. BURBERRY, King’s Heath, Birmingham. 
Durinc this dull, dark month, we must look wellto the temperatures and 
atmospheric conditions of the various departments, seeing that the 
thermometer registers somewhere about the following figures :— 
COOL HOUSE :—Day, 55°; night, 50°; morning, 45°. 
INTERMEDIATE HOUSE :—Day, 60°; night, 55°; morning, 50°. 
East INDIAN HOUSE :—Day, 65°; night, 60°; morning, 55°. 
A few degrees rise above the foregoing figures may of course be allowed 
when the sun makes its appearance, or should the weather be exceptionally 
mild. ee 
Respecting the atmospheric conditions, the weather must again be the 
simple guide. Very little water indeed need be distributed for the purpose 
of producing moisture when the outside conditions are mild, but should a 
large amount of fire heat be necessary for keeping the temperatures up to the 
desired figures, of course, more damping down will likewise be necessary. 
Very little new growth will take place during this month, as most 
Orchids are now enjoying a rest, and rightly so, for in all cases it is more or 
less necessary. Even those species which may be in the act of forming new 
growth will move very slowly, in fact, seem to be almost stationary, and 
only harm will result if any attempt is made to try to force them into active 
growth at this dull season. They would soon become weak and spindly, a 
condition of things which all good growers seek to avoid. 
Water the plants sparingly, as very little moisture will now be necessary 
to maintain plumpness, but do not let them become parched or shrivelled, 
