﻿35 S THE ORCHID REVIEW. [December, 1904. 



healthy condition, rather than to increase the size of the plant. Keep the 

 temperatures steady ; do not try to force matters by giving too much heat 

 and moisture ; on the other hand, avoid any excess of aridity, for such is 

 unnatural in their native habitats, and I know is harmful under cultivation. 

 We must not forget that although it may not rain for many months during 

 their dry season, the heavy dews at night serve to water and refresh 

 vegetation, the air never becoming parched. It will, therefore, be 

 necessary to damp down once or twice a day, as may seem necessary, and 

 this will cause the hygrometer to register about three degrees below the 

 temperature. It is exceedingly difficult at times to maintain an artificial 

 atmosphere during the short dark days of winter, which is all that the 

 inmates of the different departments require. We must, however, do our 

 best to avert the casualties which might otherwise occur. 



As to the best means of producing the most suitable conditions for the 

 plants I can say but little more here. I may, however, just mention 

 the matter of protection from cold during winter, which seems to be a 

 most seasonable subject and one which should not be forgotten. Some 

 growers, to assist in keeping up the temperatures in very cold weather, 

 and at the same time to economise fire-heat, leave their blinds up all the 

 winter, so that they can be lowered at night for this purpose. It frequently 

 happens when used in this way. that they arc frozen stiff and cannot be 

 pulled up until late in the day, thus losing the benefit of the light, which 

 is of so much importance to them. It is far more economical to have 

 them taken off, and thoroughly dried, and stored away until required 

 again. To cover the roof glass with Archangel mats, or something similar, 

 during rigorous winter weather, especially at night time, is not only a 

 great saving in fuel, but at the same time results in much more healthy 

 conditions within the house. The ends of the structure also, which are of 

 glass, are sometimes fearfully cold and damp places, and although light is 

 always of great importance, yet I do not hesitate for one moment, when 

 necessary, to mat up such ends permanently during the worst winter 

 months. The roof covering should, for obvious reasons, be conveniently 

 arranged for putting on and off night and morning. They should be 

 secured in windy weather, and if during the night they become wet or frozen, 

 they should be thawed and dried before using again- 



During this month flowers are naturally scarce, and those which bloom 

 this month are highly prized. It is fortunate that there are a good 

 many species to come in at this dull period. The Cattleyas labiata and 

 Bowringiana, being now practically over, are replaced with the deciduous 

 Calanthes, which will, together with the Mexican Laelias, continue to make 

 a very effective show for some time to come. Cypripediums perhaps have 

 the pride of place. These, coming and flowering as they do at this season, 



