22 RAYMOND J. POOL 



that to plant excised branches of the giant cactus out-of-doors 

 in the rather heavy loam of the corn belt is a very unwise prac- 

 tice, especially during a rather abnormally moist season. 



The living green branch still appears to be perfectly nor- 

 mal and has been kept in dry sand in the greenhouse and has 

 been weighed from time to time during the current year. This 

 branch was examined for roots a second time on May 30, 1915, 

 and again on July 28 but none were to be seen. The end of the 

 branch is now thoroughly covered with a thick layer of drj^ cork 

 and apparently no roots are to be formed. The plant is in excel- 

 lent condition so far as external symptoms go, although it is 

 getting no water. At this time (July 31, 1915) we can only 

 wonder how much longer the branch will live and if we will see a 

 third post-excision period of flower production in 1916. 



