379 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
seen in anything but a flourishing and happy condition, and this is brought 
about by a variety ofcauses, such as too frequent re-potting, or keeping it too 
wet and soddened at the roots, more particularly in the winter time. 
Growing them too far away from the glass, where they are apt to become 
drawn, and an insufficiency of air at all times are also causes of 
deterioration, and the last named is, perhaps, the most serious of all. I do 
not believe in a very low temperature during the winter months, and prefer 
to keep the thermometer somewhere between the figures of 45° and 60°, 
though I always like to maintain this with a no inconsiderable circulation 
of fresh air. Of course, there may, perhaps, be a few days and nights 
when it is advisable to completely close the ventilators, but they are few 
indeed. During such mild, damp weather as we have been having, the 
wind should simply be allowed to blow about the foliage. It is no use 
whatever trying to grow O. crispum to perfection unless grown as hardy in 
this respect as possible. It is a species capable of great endurance, and 
detests being pampered up in a stuffy atmosphere. 
Should severe weather make its appearance during this winter, remember 
that it is a good plan to cover exposed ends of the houses, and the roof 
glass, with garden mats or something similar. It not only saves the fuel, 
less fire heat being then required, but allows a more healthy temperature 
to be maintained. A good supply of sphagnum moss should be laid in, for 
it often happens that just when we require a good deal, in February and 
March, the frost prevents its being collected, and much valuable time is 
wasted. 
MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF ENGLAND ORCHID 
SOCIETY. 
A MEETING of this Society was held at the Coal Exchange, Manchester, 
on November roth, 1898, when many beautiful Orchids put in an 
appearance. The following members of the committee were present : 
Messrs. G. Shorland Ball (in the chair), Law-Schofield, Greenwood, 
Leemann, Gratrix, Weathers, Johnson, and Mills (hon. sec.).. 
Samuel Gratrix, Esq., Whalley Range (gr. Mr. McLeod), showed a 
very fine Cypripedium insigne Ernestii (First class Certificate), C. x 
Grovesianum, derived from C. x Lathamianum x Leeanum (Award of 
Merit), C. X Ashburtone giganteum (Award of Merit), C. x Leeanum 
aureum, and Lelio-cattleya x Amelia, derived from C. intermedia x L. 
cinnabarnia (Award of Merit). 
Thomas Statter, Esq., Whitefield (gr. Mr. Johnson), showed Dendro- 
bium bigibbum, Stand Hall variety, an exceptionally fine and very 
dark form (First-class Certificate), a fine D, Phalenopsis (Cultural 
