58 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
Should this pest exist, a sharp look-out must be maintained until it is 
exterminated. 
At this season it is also wise to look over all the plants, so that the 
early traces of thrips, red spider, and aphides. may be discovered, thus 
preventing their increase ; as this they quickly do if not held in check from 
the beginning. Asa preventive, fumigation is advisable, but as a means 
of killing insects it is liable to cause injury, and therefore should not be 
attempted with that view. In these days there are many patent prepara- 
tions for fumigation, all of which, like tobacco, may be good if used in 
moderation ; but I would advise growers to take particular notice of the 
directions, using these patent chemicals under rather than over proof until 
well acquainted with the standard strength. The pure tobacco leaf is well 
known to be inimical to insect life, used in various ways. The continental 
grower takes advantage of the cheapness of this article, and places a 
quantity under the stages, not far from the hot-water pipes. This is con- 
tinually getting damp, and in drying sends forth an odour which is agreeable 
to everything but insect life. I must also advise growers to be very careful 
in the use of liquid insecticides. My own opinion is that the less we use 
these the better for the plants, and if the grower had sufficient time or men 
to sponge with clear water only, so much the better would it be for the 
general good health of the plants. Great care should be taken with such 
plants as Stanhopeas, Catasetums, Houlletias, Chysis, and others with 
similar cup-shaped new growths, as these very quickly rot if insecticides 
are allowed to remain in them. 
I conscientiously recommend a house set apart for the better showing 
off of Orchids when in bloom. Many persons object to the term “show 
house,’”’ and perhaps do so for good reasons, Instances have come to my 
notice where the mention of a show house has been misconstrued, and 
thought to mean a greenhouse or conservatory, where other flowering plants 
were placed, and to which the flowering Orchids have been taken straight 
away, with the result that many species have suffered greatly. It is not to 
such places that I refer as being suitable for showing off Orchids, but;to a 
house having an intermediate temperature, such as where ferns are grown; 
the condition would then suit both the ferns and the flowers, being neither 
too dry nor too moist, and nicely shaded from the sun. I could point. out 
no better place. No one who has not tried can imagine the lovely 
effect produced by the arrangement of flowering Orchids with Adiantum 
cuneatum, and other ferns, either by day or night. In fact, I think, 
when seen by the electric light, the colours of many species are even more 
charming than by daylight. 
