216 THE ORCHID REVIEW, 
though the old crocks and any loose material should be removed. Sobralias 
delight in a cool intermediate temperature, and in a moderate supply of 
water throughout the year, as they have no special resting period. 
Miltonia vexillaria must now also be repotted where it is needful. 
Success with this lovely Orchid mainly depends upon giving the plants 
new and sweet material (peat and sphagnum) at least once in every two 
years, keeping them clean (the method by which this is done has already 
been stated), giving them intermediate temperature, and last, though not 
least, of the careful use of the watering-can during winter. 
Odontoglossum Schlieperianum and O. Williamsii are summer-blooming 
species, and are now pushing up flower spikes. They are very telling when 
strong ; but if the spikes are small are of but little value, and such are best 
pinched off on their appearance, so that the plants have a chance of 
becoming strong. Intermediate treatment is the right one, and if not 
repotted early in spring, it should be done immediately after blooming. 
Inmates of the East Indian house are now making growth, and must not 
lack moisture. The deciduous Calanthes are now fairly rooted, and may 
receive manure. I find one of the best ways of applying this is to procure 
some cow dung, and place a little here and there on the surface of the 
compost, under which the roots delight to get. Plants of Phalzenopsis 
should now make the strongest growth of the season. Decaying vegetable 
matter, such as leaves, is good for them, if placed underneath the stages 
and kept moist. P. grandiflora is sometimes apt to be continually pushing 
up flower spikes, which if allowed to grow weakens the plant. It is best, 
therefore, not to allow weakly specimens to bloom, but pinch off the spikes 
in order to strengthen the foliage. Saccolabiums like the same treatment 
as the last named, and now is the season for many of them to produce 
flower spikes; but should the plants be weakly, the above remark applies. 
Aganisias succeed best in this house near the glass, in a very light 
position. They grow best in pans or baskets, in a compost of peat and 
sphagnum. Some of them would appear, by their long creeping rhizomes, 
to be better adapted for blocks; but this method of Orchid culture is not 
good, and usually ends in failure, as one can never keep the roots in 
anything like an evenly balanced condition as when they are beneath the 
sphagnum moss, which for such species as A. coerulea should be placed in 
very lightly. Dendrobium aggregatum, however, is best grown on a block. 
I usually get a portion of a tree-fern stem, or a piece of apple or pear wood, 
to fix the plant on, suspending it flatwise near the glass. 
The Calanthes of the Veratrifolia section (evergreen) are now blooming, 
and succeed best in the Intermediate house. As soon as the flower-spikes 
are cut, the plants may be repotted, using good fibrous loam, leaf soil, and 
silver sand, and draining the pot about one quarter its depth. The same 
method for applying manure is good for these as for the deciduous kinds. 
