HOUSE PLANTS. 371 



decay, withhold the accustomed supply of water, keeping the plants in a half 

 dry state. Even when growing they must not be overwatered, as they are likely 

 to rot from moisture. Keep them in partial shade during tlie summer months. 

 The best time for potting either of the sorts is when the crown of the bulb 

 begins to protrude. If the roots are becoming large, they may, every alternate 

 year, be cleared from the old soil and put in smaller pots with the crown 

 entirely above the ground. 



Most plants are accustomed to cover themselves with leaves, and it is well 

 established now that the plant, properly speaking, consists only of stems and 

 leaves; all other parts, as buds, flowers, and fruit, being only modified forms of 

 the same. Plants, therefore, are mostly green, and the depth of their color is 

 an indication of their healthy action. But there are hundreds of shades, each 

 invariably contrasting with the background against which the plants appear 

 The humble and beautiful moss, in its several feathery varieties, shines with its 

 brilliant emerald green on the dark sides of rocks, whilst mushrooms display 

 their gorgeous scarlet and orange between the sombre, rugged roots of the 

 trees under whose shadows they love to dwell. The glossy ivy looks all the 

 more cheerful from the contrast with the gray, crumbling ruin which it drapes 

 in graceful green. 



Most plants are greedy consumers of water, and know how to obtain it by 

 some peculiar, and as yet unknown process. Even in the tropics, where for half 

 the year no cloud darkens the sky, and where not even dew is given, they 

 procure enough to sustain life and vigorous growth. 



There are few plants more remarkable than the different species of Cactus, 

 Beauty cannot be claimed for their lai'ge, fleshy, uncouth leaves, tlirust here 

 and there with the greatest apparent want of order, yet their suggestion of arid 

 deserts and tropical sunshine is not unpleasant in contrast with the flexible 

 foliage and stems of many of our household favorites. The flowers are usually 

 magnificent in coloring and transparent in texture ; so, also, there is a never- 

 ending variety of hideousness in the shape of the stems, some dropping down- 

 ward, snake-like in form and color; others, such as the newly discovered 

 species which returned explorers from Pike's Peak have introduced to notice, 

 resembling an old-fashioned straw bee-hive. This family of succulent plants 

 is remarkably tenacious of life, as is proved by some varieties retaining their 

 vitality for years in a hot, dry atmosphere, without receiving a particle of 

 moisture except what they might absorb from the air. This is owing to their 

 peculiar structure which allows them to exhale damp very slowly, as they have 

 no proper leaves. We know no other plant so peculiarly adapted to growing 

 in rooms, or which repays so abundantly the trifling care required in culture. 

 It is to be regretted that so little attention is paid to this interesting class. 



The species and varieties are very numerous, amounting to several hundreds, 

 divided into many genera, some looking like flat, prickly cakes of green wax 

 set on edge and joining each other irregularly. The Mammillaria, called the 

 ball cactus, has spines clustered around a small tubercle; the Cercus has, for 

 the most part, long, pliant shoots ; the Epipliyllum, stems resembling leaves. 

 These are all curious; connoisseurs declare many of them beautiful. They 

 cannot endure frost; the slightest tendency to freezing kills them. There are, 

 however, a ia^^^ hardy species ; among them is the Prickly Pear, belonging to 

 the genus Opuntla; its flowers are yellow, like most others of this class. 

 Though this plant will grow in nearly pure sand, it does best on good soil. A 

 good compost is made thus : equal parts of rich loam, decomposed manure, and 

 white sand ; mix and always keep in a dry place ready for use. One of the 

 main points is to adapt the periods of growth and rest as near as possible to 

 the habits of the plant in its natural condition. When growing, water freely, 

 but give very little when at rest. 



