OCTOBER, 1903. | THE ORCHID REVIEW. 299 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR OCTOBER. 
By JoHN Mackay, The Gardens, Highbury, Birmingham. 
DurincG this month one very important matter with regard to the manage- 
ment of Orchids will be the regulation of the atmosphere in the houses, 
especially at night, as sudden sharp frosts frequently make their appear- 
ance at this season. The grower should always be on the alert to prevent, 
as far as possible, any great fluctuations in the temperatures, so that all 
evil effects on his plants through this cause may be avoided. Generally 
speaking, these October frosts come upon us during the early hours of the 
morning, and the temperatures of the various departments are sure to fall 
a few degrees lower than they should be, when on no account must any 
watering or damping-down be done, until the proper temperature has been 
obtained, as the drier the houses are, under the circumstances, the better, 
there being then less chance of the plants getting a chill. 
Considering the exceptionally dull season we have passed through, it 
has been the safest plan to keep a little extra heat in the pipes at night, 
and such a course not only prevents the temperatures from falling too 
low by the morning but is also beneficial to the young growths of many 
autumn-growing Orchids. Another advantage of having a little more heat 
in the pipes is that more pure air can be safely admitted than when less 
artificial heat is used. Of course there are times when it is difficult to 
forecast fluctuations of temperature, but many difficulties may be overcome 
by careful observation of the outside elements. The temperatures of the 
various houses should now be kept as near the undermentioned figures as 
circumstances will permit :— 
East INDIAN HOUSE. ee ... Day, 70°; night, 65°. 
CATTLEYA AND MEXICAN HOUSES. Day, 65°; night, 60°. 
INTERMEDIATE HOUSE. — ... ... Day, 60°; night, 58°. 
Coot HovsEs: ~ ... a4 ... Day, 55°; night, 50°. 
The day readings will vary slightly according to whether the outside 
conditions be bright and warm, or dull and cold, but the night 
temperatures should be as even as possible with the employment of 
artificial heat. During moist, warm weather the mercury may rise a point 
or more above the tabulated degree without injury resulting, at all events 
if a more generous admittance of air through the bottom ventilators be 
allowed. Shading from now will be unnecessary, and the blinds and other 
appliances should be taken off the houses, and stored away in a dry 
condition, also any ‘“‘stippling” that was placed on the glass for shading 
purposes should be washed off, taking care during the operation that none 
of the dirty water runs into the rain-water tanks. As much light as 
possible should now reach the plants, and to this end all the outside glass 
