76 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [MaRcH, 1909. 
which will check it before it gets hold. When once it gets a firm hold 
the plants are better burnt, as they are useless and a ite but a 
little care will prevent it if taken in time. 
THUNIAS, as soon as they commence to grow, should be sbtbed: These 
are very quick-growing Orchids, and can be had in flower in from six 
weeks to two months from the time of starting, and will make growths 
three or four feet long. The flowers are very beautiful, and they make a 
fine display, and are very useful both as foliage and flowering plants for 
groups. A compost similar to that advised for Calanthes will suit them, 
and they must be carefully watered till they make a good many roots, and 
are growing strong, then they like plenty of water. Liquid manure in 
alternate waterings will produce fine growths and abundance of flowers. 
The foliage should be kept well syringed whilst they are growing, as they 
are rather subject to attacks of red spider if grown in a dry atmosphere. 
They should be staged in a nice sunny corner in the stove, and must not be 
heavily shaded at any time if flowers are wanted. When shaded they make 
sappy growths, and do not flower so well. 
LycasTEs are among the best winter flowering plants we have, as they 
will stand fog or any sort of weather, and either for cutting or decorative 
work they are most useful. They are not difficult to grow, and do not get 
_ bothered with insect pests like many others do. They will grow well in an 
intermediate temperature. A batch of the different varieties makes a very 
pretty group. L. Skinneri alba is a beautiful subject when well grown. 
Plants that have passed out of flower should be examined, and those that 
require potting or top-dressing should be attended to. A compost of turfy 
loam and peat in equal quantities, with plenty of crocks and lumpy char- 
coal to keep it open, will suit them well. Plants that are in good condition 
should not be disturbed, but old material should be picked out from the 
top of the pot and a surfacing of new compost added. Plants that are 
pot-bound should be shifted into pots about two sizes larger, so as not to 
want shifting again for two years or so, and plants which have got into bad 
condition should be shaken out and given a fresh start. Generally these 
will need a smaller-sized pot. In potting them the plant should be kept 
quite an inch below the rim of the pot, so that plenty of water can be given 
in the growing season. They enjoy a good syringing when they are grow- 
ing, which also keeps the foliage clean. 
SEEDLINGS of different sorts should be pushed along now the bright 
weather is coming, and any that are getting pot-bound should be given a 
shift on. Plenty of moisture in the atmosphere and fairly high temperatures 
should soon help them to make good sturdy plants before the winter is 
here again. They must be carefully shaded during the summer months. A 
movable shading is better for these than permanent shading. Double 
