184 glenny's handbook 



which the majority are weedy : a few, however, such as mos- 

 chatn, Munroana, and purpiiratn, are ornamental. The half- 

 hardy sorts will grow during summer in the herders in good 

 garden soil, or in a mixture of loam, leaf-mould, and sand, 

 and are increased hy cuttings in sand in a frame during 

 summer. The greenhouse kinds also propagate by cuttings, 

 and grow in sim^ilar soil. The hardy annuals may be sown 

 in patches in the open border in March and April. 



MAMMILLx\RIA. Nipple Cactus. [Cactaceae.] An 

 extensive group of very interesting lumpish spiny succulent 

 plants, closely allied to Echinocactus, and requiring in every 

 respect similar treatment ; but the species are many of them 

 taller and of more cylindrical form than in that genus, and, 

 instead of having a ribbed surftxce, it is in this family disposed 

 in more or less prominent tubercles, or teat-like pi'otrusions, 

 each terminated by a cluster of spines. In spring they should 

 be repotted or dressed in a compost of loam, sand, old dry 

 cowdung, and brick rubbish, and put in a temperature of 

 from 70" to 80", with abundant atmospheric moisture, but 

 little water to the roots until they are making free growth. 

 By midsummer the supply must be reduced, the plants 

 being exposed to strong sun heat, and in autumn and winter 

 they must be kept nearly dry. Like the Echinocacti, they 

 are all alike desirable where the curiosities of vegetation 

 are held in esteem. There are upwards of seventy reputed 

 species, the enumeration of which would be tedious and 

 unprofitable, in consequence of the close similarity which 

 would be presented by any general description. The flowers 

 are not showy. 



MANDE VILLA. [xApocynaceae.] A greenhouse ever- 

 green climbing shrub, and one of the best that is grown, if it 

 be planted out in a warm greenhouse or conservatory, and 

 provided it is well ripened in autumn, rested in winter, and 

 fairly excited in spring. The blossoms are del iciously fragrant. 

 The proper compost consists of half peat and half loam in a 

 rough turfy state, and of this the plant must have a good 

 bulk if it is to make a healthy and satisfactory growth. The 

 leading branches must be trained carefully as they grow ; and 

 in winter, when the growth is over and well ripened, they 

 may be pruned in rather closely. Propagated by cuttings of 



