Receptacles. 
Baskets, rafts, blocks and flower pots 
of various designs are used in which 
to grow Orchids. The tendency of 
late years however is to use flower 
pots very largely. Most species make 
more satisfactory growth when grown 
in flower pots. In preparing the 
osmundine for potting, break up the 
portions into sizes suitable for the re- 
ceptacles used. The size will vary from 
that of a hen’s egg to a size much 
smaller. All small particles and dust 
should be screened out of the compost 
before using. Many growers prefer to 
use charcoal and a small quantity of 
live sphagnum moss with the osmun- 
dine. Both these ingredients are of 
value in the compost. 
Plants that do not require potting 
should be top-dressed with good os- 
munda fibre. 
Before the flower pots are used 
they should be thoroughly cleansed, 
both inside and out, and it is also 
advisable to wash the crocks which 
are used as drainage. Cleanliness 
should be practiced in the Orchid 
house to insure the best results. 
Shading. 
With plants growing under glass, 
light will counteract a deficiency in air 
in the same way that a good supply 
of air will often mitigate bad light- 
ing conditions. Bear in mind, how- 
ever, few Orchids grown under glass 
will stand exposure to the burning 
influence of the sun’s rays. Light 
therefore must. be controlled, as far 
as possible, in order that the plants 
may obtain their maximum allowance 
without burning. 
The method of placing a heavy 
shading on the outside or inside the 
Orchid house is to be condemned as 
it is the antithesis of good Orchid 
management. The most practical and 
efhcient method of shading is the Lath 
Roller Shade which is manufactured 
for any type of greenhouse. This 
method of shading insures the max- 
imum amount of light in the green- 
house, a factor of importance in the 
good health of the plants. From a 
practical standpoint this factor is of 
immense importance. Lath shades also 
at the same time cater to our aesthetic 
feelings. The lath roller shades have 
another function which I have not 
mentioned. It is that of protection 
for the plants during the cold winter 
nights when they may be lowered dur- 
ing the later afternoon and raised the 
following morning. 
If any of the various whiting or 
paint shadings are to be used on the 
glass they should be applied lightly 
in early spring, increasing the shade 
towards mid-summer and decreasing 
by partial removal of the material in 
the fall. In shading let us understand 
that its function is to break the direct 
rays of the sun, and diffuse, not to 
obscure them as is done in a great 
many Cases. 
Watering. 
Many Orchids rest naturally during 
the winter months, and do not re- 
quire the heat and moisture necessary 
when the plant is in full growth. It 
is surprising what an amount of cold 
some plants will stand when in a dry 
state. A sudden change from growing 
conditions to a drier and colder atmo- 
sphere is not advisable; all plants 
should be gradually hardened off and 
the foliage properly matured before 
they are placed in any decided change 
of atmosphere. 
Species and hybrids vary so much 
that no definite date can be given 
for the commencement or ending of 
the resting season; every plant must 
be treated entirely according to its 
own wants. While some may only 
