ees THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
I do not wish to pose as an authority on hybridisation as I have had 
far too short an experience, but possibly a few facts that have come under my 
own observation may be of some interest to readers of the ORCHID REVIEW. 
REGINALD YOUNG. 
[We hope other correspondents will favour us with their experience on 
this interesting subject.—Ep.] 
ne 
GRAMMATOPHYLLUM SPECIOSUM. 
A fine plant of Grammatophyllum speciosum in the Botanic Garden at 
Penang forms the subject of a note in the Gardeners’ Chronicle for November 
18th (p. 622), by Mr. C. Curtis. It is over forty-two feet in circumference, 
and this year has produced twenty-four spikes from seven to eight feet long, 
and bears over a thousand flowers. It grows on a mound three to four feet 
high, in the full sun. Once or twice a year half a cartload of leaf-mould is 
' scattered about its roots, which is all the attention it receives. It is said to 
be widely distributed in Malaysia, though apparently nowhere abundant, 
and the finest plants are generally found high up in the forks of not very 
leafy trees, where it gets an abundance of light. These hints should be 
useful to those who are cultivating the plants at home. It has flowered in 
this country on at least two occasions, though few people care to possess it, 
on account of its gigantic size. It is a magnificent plant, as seen in its 
native home. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR MARCH. 
By H. A. Burperry, Highbury, Moor Green, Birmingham. 
THE temperature for this month should be as follows: the cool house, by 
day, 55° to 60°; night, 53°; morning, 48°. The Intermedia, Cattleya, or 
Mexican house, by day, 63° to 68°; night, 63°; morning, 58°. The warm 
or East India house, by day, 70° to 75°; night, 68°; morning, 65°. In 
bright, sunny weather the day temperature may go a few degrees above 
these figures, and if the outside conditions are exceptionally cold, a few 
degrees below, both night and day, will be preferable; but should the 
conditions be favourable for free ventilation, these figures should be a 
guide. On most days now it will be necessary to damp down three times, 
morning, noon, and night. 
Orchids are strange plants; their peculiarities often take one a long 
time to fathom, which is the chief cause why the occupation of Orchid 
growing is so extremely interesting. To many a cultivator the great 
beauty of the flowers is but a secondary consideration. He becomes so 
