MARCH. 63 



racter of the flowers, few of them lasting more than two or three 

 days, and some not so long ; but they are still well worth growing. 

 Some of the Echinocacti are night-blooming, and others day-bloomers, 

 and of these some only expand their flowers in the sunshine, shut- 

 ting up as soon as his beams are intercepted, whilst others are better 

 in the shade. But to proceed to the subject of inquiry, viz. their 

 cultivation: this is of the simplest and easiest character; a few points 

 attended to are sufficient to insure success. 



The soil for Cereus and Epiphyllum and the quick-growing 

 kinds should be a well-enriched loam, with sufficient gritty matter 

 to allow the surplus water to pass freely. The globe and dwarf 

 growing kinds require a still more porous soil, but it may still be 

 rich. It is true they may be kept alive for years in " rubbish ;" but 

 this term would properly describe the plants as well as the soil : they 

 will well repay generous treatment, if judiciously administered. 

 They should be potted after blooming annually, if they are wished to 

 grow large ; but bi-annually will do for established plants. If it is 

 desired to keep them smaller, at all times avoid overpotting ; the free- 

 growing kinds require the most room. Potting large specimens re- 

 quires two persons, for they are any thing but easy or pleasant (or 

 safe) to handle. A thick, soft hay-band rolled in a piece of thin canvas 

 wrapped round the plant assists greatly to hold it, and preserves the 

 spines from injury. Such as require it should be well supported by 

 stakes and tied up ; and particularly so when the buds are swelling, 

 as they frequently get too heavy for the stem to support, and either 

 break or hang down in an unsightly manner ; whilst growing, all 

 sorts require plenty of water and heat, and also (and I had almost 

 said above all) plenty of light of the direct rays of the sun. 



The best structure for their growth is a pit heated by hot water, 

 so that they can be placed near the glass, which should not be steeper 

 than just sufficient to shoot off the rain ; in such a structure they 

 are seen to the best advantage, and are easily attended to. Where 

 this is wanting they may be successfully grown in summer on a mild 

 hot-bed, either of bark or stable litter covered with a frame of appro- 

 priate depth. Propagation of the Cactus is very simple : cuttings of 

 any size, as soon as the cut is diy, may be inserted in slightly moist 

 porous soil and placed in heat ; they will soon make roots. Many 

 of the varieties produce seed in abundance, and they cross very 

 readily ; and no doubt much may yet be done in this way to gain 

 improved varieties. Some of the pendulous kinds may be suspended 

 from the rafters of the stove or greenhouse, in which position the 

 flowers are seen to great advantage. 



Omicron. 



STEPHANOTIS FLORIBUNDA. 



This is a well-known favourite evergreen stove-climber, and, when 

 " well done," what a glorious object it is ! But, alas, how rarely do 

 we find this ! The majority of plants one sees are coiled and twisted 



