Marcu, 1909.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 75 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR MARCH. 
By W. J. Morcan, Rann Lea Gardens, Rainhill, Lancs. 
SHADING.—AIl the softer-growing sections should be weil shaded from the 
direct rays of the sun, for carelessness at the beginning of the season will 
cause a lot of unsightly scalds. Where blinds are not used the houses can 
be shaded with flour and water, either brushed on or put on with the 
syringe. If green shading is required green colour, as used for paint, can 
be added. I much prefer flour to lime, as it is so much easier got off at 
the end of the season, and yet does not wash off with rain. It also has the 
advantage of being transparent in damp weather. Where blinds are used 
they can be left up longer in the morning, and drawn up earlier in the 
afternoon, if the glass is stippled over lightly. If canvas blinds are used it 
will be better to shade several panes just where they join, as even if enough 
is allowed for overlapping in fixing they generally shrink in the centre, 
where they meet, and often leave a gap, and thus damage is soon done to 
tender foliage plants. 
Plants that have been placed up near the glass for the winter months 
will be better lowered a little, and where they have been stood on pots the 
pots can be taken from under them, which will give them a good bit more 
air space between them and the glass. Where movable stages are used 
they can easily be dropped a brick or so during the summer months. Six 
inches or so further away from the glass gives a lot more air space, and 
heat from the glass does not affect the plants so badly, especially where 
blinds are not used. 
CALANTHES should be potted as soon as they commence to grow. Shake 
all old material from the roots, which latter roots can be shortened, leaving 
just sufficient to hold them firm in the pot. Any bulbs that are diseased: 
should be discarded, as they are only an eyesore and can never be cured. 
Good varieties can be propagated by the old bulb. Place the back bulbs 
in pans, and fill round with crocks to hold them in place till they break, 
when they can be potted up singly, and will make nice bulbs by the end of 
the season. Good fibrous loam, dried cow manure, broken up fine, and 
leaves, with plenty of broken charcoal and crocks, makes a good compost.. 
Use about two-thirds loam. They can be potted singly, or several in a 
pot where specimens are required, but do not overpot them. Keep the 
base of the bulb about an inch below the rim of the pot, as they like plenty | 
of water when in full growth. Where a house is not provided for them a 
melon house suits them to grow in, or a warm corner in the stove house. 
They must be very carefully watered until the pots get full of roots, then a 
plentiful supply should be given. Should the black spot make an appear- 
ance give a little extra ventilation, and water more carefully for a time, 
