Si'ptcinbcr, 1913.] TIIl'^ 
natural conditions. It sliould be the aiin of 
every grower to first obtain strong plants. 
Nothing" succeeds like success, and the 
continual increase in the size and vigour of 
the plants is the greatest of all encourage- 
ments that amateurs can ever wish to have 
Insect pests will find their way to Orchids 
quite as easily as they do to other plants. 
The chief trouble with Odontoglossums is 
thrip. These small insects, almost invisible 
to the naked eye, multiply at a rapid rate, 
and do considerable damage in a very short 
space of time. Their favourite habitation is 
in the centre of the new growth and on the 
flower spikes, where they cause a burnt and 
rusty appearance. Fumigation with nicotine 
is generally used, and proves effectual when 
the house is fairly new and can be made 
air-tight, but in older houses, which are 
generally leaky, this method will not be 
found so good, and resource must then be 
had to washing" the plants with liquid 
insecticide, usually a longer process, but 
generally more efficient. Many expert 
cultivators spray their plants every other 
week with insecticide, and also make a 
practice of washing the flower spikes, for 
thrips are very fond of getting m between 
the flower buds and under the bracts, or 
scale leaves, on the stem. It is advisable to 
mention that care should be taken to prevent 
the wash from entering the compost. The 
spraying and washing is best carried out when 
the weather is not too hot to dry it up before 
the insects are killed. The foliage and 
flower spiT<es should also be in a dry state 
before commencing the operation, otherwise 
the insecticide, falling on a wet surface, may 
become so diluted as to be useless. 
Towards the end of September some of 
the shading should be removed ; that is, of 
course, supposing it to be of the permanent 
kind, which includes whitewash and the 
green mixtures sold specially for the purpose. 
All changes from shade to a bright light 
should be carried out by slow stages ; the 
plants then have ample time to accustom 
themselves to the new conditions. Any 
sudden change will inevitably bring about 
disaster in the way of burnt leaves and bulbs. 
WORLD. 2H5 
GHENT EXHIBITION. 
THE great Horticultural Exhibition, 
organised by the Cercle Van 
Houtte, took i)lace August (jth 
to 17th, m the Palais de I'Horticulture, 
Ghent. Taken cn the whole the Exhibition 
was a wonderful collection of plants 
and flowers, such as are rarely seen at 
shows held during an earlier part of the 
year, and for that reason the exhibits were 
of considerable interest. Nearly 600 classes 
were provided in the schedule, and an Inter- 
national Jury took several hours m awarding 
the prizes. 
Count Joseph de Hemptmne, President of 
the Society, and several energetic workers, 
have been occupied for some time past in 
the preliminary work connected with the 
formation of a large exhibition, and they ha\ e 
visited many other principal shows for the 
purpose of obtaining further information. 
The result was that one of the finest and 
most beautiful exhibitions took place. In 
many respects it was an improvement on all 
past shows, one important point being the 
effective manner in which the masses of 
colour were arranged, and the manner of 
grouping large foliage plants, the whole 
forming a magnificent piece of harmonious 
garden architecture. We have nothing but 
praise for the able manner in which the whole 
proceedings were carried out. 
The Orchids occupied a large part of the 
show, and never before have so many of 
these plants been seen in flower during the 
month of August. It only proves how, with 
a little forethought and method. Orchids can 
now be had in bloom during every week of 
the year. The staging set apart for these 
plants occupied the whole end of the building, 
the various tables being placed on an elevated 
and inclined floor, so that when viewed from 
the distance a wonderful effect was obtained. 
Count Joseph de Hemptmne, St. Denis, 
Westrem, Ghent, was awarded an Objet 
d'Art, value 100 francs, for a fine display of 
Odontoglossum hybrids, those of Harr\"anum 
being very numerous. Several excellent 
forms of Cattleya Warscevviczii, one being 
ORCHID 
