i6 THE ORCHID 
Cattleya and Mexican House, day, 65 ; night, 60 
Intermediate House ... „ 60; „ 58 
Cool House „ 515; „ 50 
In the event of extremely cold weather a 
degree or two lower will do no harm, but tliis 
condition should not be allowed to remain for 
any length of time. 
All shading may now be removed, and if 
the p'.ants have been inured to the light, as 
advised, they will withstand the sun and 
thereby receive considerable benefit. 
Atmospheric moisture. At this season of 
the year damping down must be done with 
discretion, for there is always the danger of 
the moisture condensing on the glass and 
causing drip, especially if there is no outlet. 
These drips often cause the loss of young 
growths, and, very often, the total loss of a 
valuable plant. 
Ventilation. Air should be admitted in 
every department on all favourable occasions, 
but draughts must be avoided, for with them 
come chills and injury to the plants. 
Watering. The remarks made last month 
respecting this matter still hold good, in fact, 
right through the winter months. Always 
consider whether it is advisable to water 
plants or not, bearing in mind that it is much 
easier at this season to get the compost wet 
than it is to get it dry again. In no particular 
detail of our practice is there more scope for 
intelligence than in the application of water 
to the plants. The careful ob.server in this 
matter will always make the best cultivator. 
Dendrobiums. Continue to look over and 
remove those that have finished their growth 
to the resting-house, taking care that only 
sufficient water is given to prevent them 
shrivelling. Plants of the evergreen section, 
including D. thrysiflorum, D. densiflorum, 
D. Bronckartii and D. Farmeri, that have 
finished their growth, may also be removed 
to a cooler and more airy atmosphere, but 
they must not be kept quite so dry at the 
roots as those of the D. nobile section. 
Thunias. Owing to the lack of sunshine 
the leaves of these plants are still quite green, 
although the plants have been in the resting- 
house for some time. While the foliage 
remains so, water must still be supplied to the 
WORLD. [October, 1912. 
roots, but only m sufficient quantities to keep 
the pseudo-bulbs plump. Keep the leaxes 
free from red spider by syringing them with 
rather warm soapy water, or a weak solution 
of insecticide. 
Calanthes of the vestita section that are 
now pushing up their flower spikes will 
commence, at the same time, to cast their 
foliage. These plants must be watered 
moderately until the blooming period, and 
have all the light possible to enable them to 
expand and develop their flowers. They 
should still be kept in the same house and 
temperature as that in which they made their 
growths. The later flowering varieties, such 
as C. Regiiieri, C. Turneri, and others, are 
also later in making their growth and losing 
their foHage, therefore the treatment must be 
varied accordingly. 
Cymbidiums which have finished growing 
and are pushing up their flower spikes will be 
benefited by an occasional watering with 
weak liquid manure, but in no case must it be 
given in strong doses ; rather withhold it 
altogether than do the plants an injury. 
.Sobralias that are in need of new rooting 
material may be re-potted at this season, and 
being strong growers will require more pot 
room. A compost which they will succeed 
in is equal parts fibrous loam, osmunda, peat, 
and sphagnum moss, all thoroughly mixed 
together and used in a rough state. Pot 
rather firmly and leave a space of half an inch 
or so below the rim of the pot for watering. 
After re-potting, the soil must be kept on 
the dry side, and very little water will be 
required until the new roots enter the com- 
post. Sobralias will succeed in an Inter- 
mediate house where they can be accom- 
modatecJ with plenty of head room. 
Odontoglossums. The potting of these 
plants may be continued, as advised last 
month, but the work should be concluded as 
soon as possible. Any that are not in the 
desired condition will be best left over until 
the early spring. Plants that are pushing up 
their flower spikes should be elevated close 
to the glass, so that they obtain all the light 
possible. Any sickly or weak plants 
attempting to flower should have the spikes 
