MISSOURL BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 117 
‘‘Try to wind the stem, in the basal ring, and when it re- 
turns to the starting point, then lead it along an erect bamboo 
to the second ring, and wind the stem in the same way as 
stated above. It is desirable to check the growth of the plants 
when their stem encircles the second ring, and never let it 
grow further up to the third ring. 
‘Flowers usually bloom early in the morning and may 
wither soon when they are exposed to strong sunshine. The 
withered flowers should be picked at about ten o’clock every 
morning. For the purpose of getting seeds for next year, 
however, it is without saying to leave the withered flowers 
on the plants.’ 
THE GIANT CACTUS (Cereus giganteus) 
One of the most interesting plants in the semi-arid regions 
of Arizona and Mexico is the giant tree cactus (suwarro). 
In its native habitat it grows into a large columnar speci- 
men, usually single, but frequently with one or more branches 
and rarely cristate in form. It may attain a height of sixty 
feet and weigh several tons. In spite of its great weight 
and the fact that it is comparatively short-lived under culti- 
vation large specimens are sometimes shipped to botanical 
gardens. 
In 1914 (see July, 1914, number of the BULLETIN), a large 
specimen of the giant cactus was obtained from Arizona and 
planted in one of the old greenhouses at the Garden. With 
the construction of the large conservatories it was again suc- 
cessfully transplanted to the present succulent house, where 
it flourished for several years. In 1919 a number of greenish 
flowers were produced from near the apex of the plant. This 
flowering, however, proved to be a sign of decay, for during 
the latter part of the year, in spite of treatment, the great 
mass of plant rotted, leaving only its many perpendicular 
fibro-vascular bundles. These woody supports reminded one 
of the reinforcing rods of a econerete column under course 
of construction, and it is easy to understand how a plant 
conforming to such an engineering plan could maintain an 
erect position to almost any height. 
In view of the popular interest in this cactus, another 
giant was recently obtained by exchange through Mr. W. 
T. Swingle, of the Bureau of Plant Industry. The method 
