J02 ON THE CULTURE OF CACTUS. 



state ; but the unyielding character of the old wood only renders 



it more destructable, The foliage of the grasses indigenous tc* 



cold countries is only withered by frost, but seldom destroyed^ 



owing to the tenacity and elasticity of its structure. 



Clericus. 



ARTICLE II. 

 ON THE CULTURE OF THE STOVE SPECIES OF CACTUS. 



BY MR. RICHARD BEAI.V, B1ACKBURN. 



All the stove species of Cactse may be treated as follows with 

 great success. 



Pot them in loam peat, or sandy loam, mixed with a small por^ 

 tion of lime rubbish, say about a fourth part. 



Always let the pots in which they are planted be as small as 

 the plants will allow ; large pots are injurious, because the roots 

 are prevented from reaching the sides for a long time, and the 

 body of the soil is liable to retain too much moisture every time 

 the plant is watered. 



Always give a good drainage, by laying in each pot a good 

 portion of broken potsherds, as the least stagnation is always in- 

 jurious, sometimes fatal ; therefore, never allow water to stand 

 in the pans or feeders, in which the pots are sometimes placed. 



Water very seldom, not more than twice a week, when they are 

 flowering, and not so often at other times ; give very little at a 

 time, not more than will just moisten the soil all over, particu- 

 larly if the weather is not fine and sunny. 



About the middle of June, turn them out of doors into a situa- 

 tion where they will not be exposed to wind, but perfectly open 

 to the rays of the mid-day sun. Place them on a board or floor 

 of any kind, to prevent the worms from effecting an entrance 

 through the bottom of the pots. This system of exposing them 

 in summer, gives them a check which seldom fails to produce a 

 good bloom; 



Whilst out of doors they must nbt be allowed to receive the 

 heavy dashing rains, or they will suffer,' perhaps die in conse- 

 quence ; either a boarded roof, or other shelter must be provid- 

 ed for them on such occasions. Also, if the pots stand on a floor 

 bf slates or flag stones, they should be plunged in a little moss; 



