THE ORCHID REVIEW. 313 
and evening; but the watering of the plants must, as the winter and its 
accompanying short and dark days approaches, be done with greater care, 
for it is often then that cool Orchids are over-watered, the roots consequently 
dying. The watering-can must be used with discretion, the operator takinginto 
account the naturally damp, slow-drying, and unexciting winter atmosphere, 
and be guided also by the nature of the compost and the bulk thereof, the 
mode of potting, etc. As a general guide I may say that the surface of the 
compost should look white for a day or two at this season before water is 
applied, and as the days shorten a still longer interval should be allowed. 
THE INTERMEDIATE, CATTLEYA, and Mexican Housgs.—Day 65° to 
70°, night 65°, morning 60°. Damp down twice a day, and ventilate 
systematically, avoiding cool draughts. 
Tue East INDIAN House.—Day 75°, night 70°, morning 65°. Twice a 
day for damping-down will also be sufficient here. Always ventilate when 
circumstances are favourable, but be cautious about opening the top 
ventilators. 
The time is now upon us when careful thought and consideration is like- 
wise necessary when watering all species of Orchids. Asa rule the inex- 
perienced are greatly bothered about the winter treatment of their plants 
when at rest, the question of how often to water frequently cropping up. I 
have sometimes noticed plants so shrivelled by excessive drought as to be 
beyond recovery, and I have also seen them suffering from the effects of too 
much wet. It is scarcely possible to write down hard-and-fast rules on the 
subject, as conditions and circumstances vary so much; but a few words 
here may be serviceable. 
Take the deciduous kinds, such as some of the Dendrobiums, the 
Catasetums and Mormodes, Barkerias, and others. Such kinds will, when 
properly matured, but not till then, require very little water during the 
winter months to keep them plump and healthy ; probably once a fortnight, 
a little longer, or perhaps not quite so long. 
Then come the thick, leathery-leaved, evergreen species, which are also 
capable of withstanding long droughts, such as the Cattleyas and Lealias, 
Brassavolas, and some of the Oncidiums and Epidendrums. Sometimes I 
find these go well for one or two weeks, and sometimes longer, without 
water, just in accordance with the weather. Many of the thin-leaved, ever- 
green species, too, require a good long rest; for instance, Cceelogynes and 
Lycastes, some of the Odontoglossums, as O. grande and O. citrosmum, 
and some of the Oncidiums, as O. trigrinum, O. varicosum, and others, 
having a decided period of inactivity. But there are many other species of 
the above genera which are almost always growing, and never having what 
may be termed a resting season, and these must not be allowed to get very 
dry, though they should be watered very moderately during the winter, 
simply letting them get dry and then giving water. I refer to species like 
