372 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



For all practical purjtoses the cacti may be divided into two classes, wintcr- 

 bloomiug and suinmer-blooining. Tbe time of flowering may be somewbat 

 varied by culture, but it is best to follow tbe natural tendency of the plant. 

 Tbose wbo can, bad better purchase their specimens while in bloom, unless 

 they are acquainted with the varieties. As soon as tbe plants have done 

 flowering, take them out of the pots and crumble ofi" half an inch or so of the 

 soil around the ball adhering to the roots ; then put them into vessels about one 

 inch larger than tho.sc from which they were taken, having plenty of bits of 

 broken bricks in tbe bottom for drainage. Give them a little water, just 

 enough to settle the soil around the roots, and moisten them not more than 

 once a week thereafter. Place them in a Avarm situation where they will have 

 plenty of air and light. When they commence to grow, water twice a week, 

 or often enough to keep tbe soil damp, not wet. Syringe, to keep the stem 

 clean. 



In summer the plants may be set out of doors, placing them on boards or 

 flat stones ; and if pure sand suiTOunds the pots, it will be of great service in 

 protecting the roots from the direct rays of the sun. Remove them to the 

 house before a suspicion of frost, giving to those that are not preparing to 

 flower only suflicieut water to prevent them from shrivelling ; those that show 

 a reddish tint around their buds should have a regular supply. Temperature 

 should be from 60^ to 75^, or even warmer, but make no sudden transition 

 from heat to cold, or tbe buds will blight. "When cuttings are taken ofi" they 

 should be placed on a shelf in a dry place, and left there for one or two weeks 

 before potting. This causes them to lose part of their watery substance, and 

 they take root more readily. Put them in soil composed of at least half sand, 

 and give but little water till rooted. 



The most common, but not for that the less lovable, of house plants, are 

 ofraniums. Leigh Hunt, whose taste was indisputable, said, if one have a sol- 

 itary plant, let it be a red geranium. They are clustered round with associa- 

 tions. Everybody recollects the horseshoe, the rose, and the fish species 

 from earliest childhood. To many the sight of them brings back the old home- 

 stead, where, in a deep, well-sheltered window, these pets of " mother, or sister, 

 or maiden aunt " made perpetual sunshine. 



About the flrst of August geraniums require a complete dressing. Collect 

 them all together, and with a sharp knife cut off the wood of this year to within 

 a few eyes of the wood of last year. Citriodorum and its varieties do not need 

 pruning. Plants grown from cuttings, and that have flowered during the sea- 

 son, may be cut to about three inches from the root. Choose a cloudy day for 

 the operation. Turn the plants out of the pots, reducing the ball of earth so 

 that the same pots may contain them again with from half an inch to two 

 inches of fresh soil around the balls. Carefully press them in with the potting 

 stick, and linish by levelling dfl:' neatly with the band. Give very gentle 

 waterings from a rose-mouthed watering pot for a few weeks, until they begin 

 to grow. The tuberous-rooted and deciduous species must be very moderately 

 supplied. Be careful that the new soil does not become saturated, for, though 

 allowed to dry again, it will not be so pure. When they grow afresh, expose 

 them fully to the sun, turning them regularly every two weeks. Though 

 these shrubs bloom in the green-house the whole winter, their usual time for 

 flowering is in April. " Flower of the Day and Queen of Summer are among 

 the best varieties." The strong kinds will be growing very luxuriantly, and 

 require liberal supplies of water. 



Tbe veronica is a very beautiful plant, almost a shrub. Its greatest charm, 

 notwithstanding its spikes of purple flowers, is its glossy foliage. The Ander- 

 sotiia, opening blue and changing to white, is in flower from August to Christ- 

 mas, requiring only tbe simplest culture, and growing freely and symmetrically 

 No flower stand can be considered complete without at least one specimen. 



