346 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
Dendrobiums undoubtedly flower much more freely when the new 
growth is completed early, so that there is still time, before the sun has lost 
its power, to thoroughly mature and ripen it, so that next year they will 
probably not be quite up to their usual standard of excellence, which is very 
unfortunate, though unavoidable. Iam not an advocate under any circum- 
stances of squeezing out of Dendrobiums the greatest possible number of 
flowers by severe resting. It is not altogether a system to be lightly 
recommended, for it frequently happens that when plants are so severely 
rested, coupled with the great strain upon the plants in supporting so many 
flowers, reduces them to such a state of utter exhaustion as to necessitate 
several years of skilful culture to bring them back again to health and 
vigour. For instance, it is quite possible by giving Dendrobiums of the 
nobile class a very long and excessively dry rest, to make them produce flowers 
from the last made pseudobulbs;—very pretty, of course, but not quite 
natural or reasonable, and as a consequence the piper has to be paid, some- 
times, perhaps, very dearly. When the season of growth arrives the mischief 
is apparent, and one such short growing season as we have just passed 
through does not by any means remedy the evil. I would therefore advise 
growers not to go to extremes in this respect, but rather to be content with 
a moderately well-bloomed plant, for such moderation is sure to prove more 
satisfactory in the long run. I do not, however, depreciate the great 
value of sufficient rest and repose, which must be given in order to ensure 
success, as in previous Calendars I have mentioned it more fully in respect 
to the requirements of the various species. 
When a new species of Orchid is introduced there is in most cases some 
difficulty in getting a clue as to its proper culture, and as a guide the 
growers anxiously inquire for news concerning its natural habitat. The 
persons most likely to be able to give that information are the importers, or, 
better still, the collector, which latter should be in the best position to give 
such details as could at once be turned to practical and profitable account. 
Should the collector chance to be a really practical Orchid grower at home, 
well knowing the behaviour of some species under glass, he would be more 
likely to furnish such details as would render artificial culture less trouble- 
some, than one knowing nothing of cultural matters. We have already one 
collector who is likewise a good grower, sending to the OrcHID REVIEW 
from time to time valuable information, principally on the habitats of 
Dendrobiums, and if others could be induced to do likewise with respect to 
other species we might yet conquer others which have hitherto proved 
intractable. Observations taken on the spot where the plants grow could not 
fail to be most useful, but in most instances it is either not given at all or 
only in the most meagre and indefinite fashion. The native country, the 
name of the district, and the number of feet above sea level, is a great help ; 
likewise any news respecting the dry and rainy seasons; the average tempera- 
