100 
Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 
CEREUS. 
undersides of the leaves frequently to see 
that they are not affected, and fumigate if 
the insects appear. 
CEREUS. 
Under this head are comprised a nume- 
rous section of the Cactus family, among 
which are some of the most gorgeous 
blooming cool stove subjects in the whole 
range of flowering plants, at one time very 
much more cultivated than now. In times 
past, when hothouses were mostly warmed 
by the old-fashioned flues with the dry 
heat they gave off, the genus Cactus was 
largely represented. The flowers indivi- 
dually do not last so long as some others, 
but when the plants get large they give a 
succession that keeps on for several weeks. 
The splendid colours possessed by many of 
the varieties, comprising the most vivid 
shades of red and crimson, are unequalled 
among cultivated plants. Cereuses are of 
the easiest possible growth, provided that a 
few essentials to their well-being are kept 
in view, and they require very little of that 
watchful attention which many newer and 
more fashionable introductions demand. 
They are propagated freely from cuttings 
made of good-sized pieces of the shoots after 
they are fully matured ; these should con- 
sist of a considerable portion of the pre- 
ceding season’s growth. If taken off in the 
spring they should be laid on a dry shelf 
for a few days to allow the base, where 
severed, to dry up; afterwards put them 
singly into thoroughly drained pots just 
big enough to hold them, filled with sandy 
loam. Place them in a stove temperature, 
but not shaded or kept close as most 
cuttings require to be, or they will rot up- 
wards from the base ; nor must they have 
much water until they have made plenty 
of roots—just as much as will prevent the 
soil getting quite dry will suflice. After 
they are rooted keep them near the glass, 
with all the sunlight available, and also 
where they will get air daily. An atmo- 
sphere less moist than that of a modern 
plant stove suits them best. When they 
have begun to grow, put a stick to each to 
support them, and give water more freely. 
If the cuttings have in the first instance 
been put in 4-inch or’5-inch pots, these 
will be large enough for the first year, as 
they do not like much root-room. To- 
wards the end of September gradually 
withhold water, and keep them quite dry 
through the winter, during which a tem- 
perature of from 48° to 50° will answer. 
In the spring, about the end of March, 
cut a small piece off the head of each to 
help them to break out additional shoots. 
| This may not be necessary with all the 
sorts, as some will branch freely of their 
own accord, but in no case have we found 
stopping the points do any harm. Increase 
the temperature as the days lengthen, 
giving a little water at first, and when the 
shoots have got plump, and growth has 
fully set in, give more; then move them 
into larger pots proportionate in size to 
that of the plants according to their 
strength of habit. Use a moderate 
quantity of sand, and some _ potsherds 
broken small will help to ensure porosity. 
Continue to treat them as advised during 
the preceding summer with plenty of heat 
and sunlight in the growing season ; 
again dry them off in the autumn, and 
winter as before. Some of the smaller 
freest-flowering kinds will yield a, few 
blooms the ensuing summer. The manage- 
ment afterwards required will be of a 
simple routine character ; give more pot- 
room as the roots need it, but be mindful 
never to overdo them in this respect. As 
the plants get large, it will be an advantage 
with those kinds that require less heat to 
stand them out during July and August in 
the open air against a wall in the full sun, 
giving no more water-than is required to 
keep them from shrivelling ; so treated, 
they will go on and last for many years. 
Such species as C. McDonaldiz and C. 
grandiflorus, the night-blooming Cactuses, 
require to be trained to a wall exposed to 
the full sun in a warm stove, as they need 
a thorough ripening to enable them to 
bloom. The former of the two species 
comes from Honduras, and has yellow 
flowers ; the latter is a native of Jamaica, 
and bears white flowers of an immense size. 
In addition, the undermentioned are all 
fine kinds :— 
C. flagelliformis. Pink. From Peru. 
C. speciosissimus. Crimson. From South 
America. 
C. splendidus. Scarlet. From Mexico. 
C. superbus. Red. Mexico. 
C. triangularis. White. From the West 
Indies. 
C. Tweedier. 
Ayres.: 
Some of the above will succeed with a 
lower temperature than that of the stove, 
but all are benefited by considerable heat 
while growing. There is a very large 
number of known species, but those named 
will in most cases be found a sufficient 
selection for ordinary cultivation. 
Insects.—These plants are little affected 
by insects, yet aphides will often be found 
to attack the young growths and the 
flower-buds ; they can easily be got rid of 
by fumigation. Slugs are very fond of 
Orange. From Buenos 
