CACTUSES AND OTHER SUCCULENTS IO5 



the common stonecrop or wall pepper {Sedmn acre) and the 

 house-leek {Sempervivujn tectorum), though the latter is prob- 

 ably only naturalised. They, of course, have not to endure 

 tropical heat, but they grow in such positions that while much 

 water may drain down upon them at times, they are liable to 

 be dried up for a long period in summer, and the alternation 

 has produced in them the same effect as in other plants of 

 the same class in distant parts of the world, their leaves 

 having become swollen and their stems thickened. From the 

 abnormal conditions we might expect abnormal forms, and 

 this is just what we find among the succulents. Many of 

 them have no pretensions to beauty, and some are even 

 grotesque. Yet all are interesting, and not a few have 

 gorgeous flowers, not infrequently with a powerful perfume. 

 As a rule, however, the flowers do not last long. They are so 

 conspicuous that they can hardly fail to attract, almost 

 immediately, the insects by which they are fertilised and, in 

 consequence, the whole energies of the plants seem to have 

 been concentrated on the task of increasing their attractive 

 qualities rather than on that of strengthening them, as is 

 necessary in the case of other species more likely to escape 

 notice. 



When we have learned the conditions under which plants 

 grow in a wild state, we know how to cultivate them. What 

 we have to do is to provide for them, as nearly as possible, the 

 same conditions as those to which the race is accustomed. 

 We must, therefore, supply the succulents in summer with great 

 quantities of water, and in the winter keep them dry. The 

 tropical species should be kept quite dry then, though if they 

 show signs of shrivelling they may have, on a warm morning, 

 a very little water in order to replace wastage. If, however, 

 they are kept moist in a low temperature, they are sure to 

 decay. 



The soil should consist of fibrous loam and sharp sand in 

 about equal quantities, the whole made quite firm, and as 

 lime is important, a layer of mortar or lumps of chalk should 

 be used as drainage. Artificial fertilisers are not necessary. 

 If they are given, it should be only in very small amount 



