ON THE TREATMENT OF CACTI. 14*7 



they should then be removed to a cool airy place, having only the 

 morning sun ; displace all suckers at this time. If thought requisite' 

 put a little of the compost round the top of the pots, being careful not 

 to put it over high, which will rot the leaves ; place the frame over 

 them again till the flowers are going off; water freely when in flower, 

 and give them plenty of air, which will prolong their flowers. In 

 August, the plants in the three inch pots are examined ; if requisite 

 give them pots four and a half inches ; but I do not recommend 

 repotting more than once in two years with old plants. If they keep 

 healthy, clear away dead leaves at all times. 



ARTICLE VI. 



ON THE TREATMENT OF CACTI, 



BY Z. 



{Extracted from the Gardener's Journal by Chricus.) 



Having become a subscriber to the new paper, the Gardener's 

 Journal, I find it contains, among others, a very useful article on 

 Cacti ; I have therefore transcribed it, and forward it for insertion 

 in the Cabinet. 



" The collection and cultivation of the numerous species of the 

 genera comprised in the natural order Cactacese during the last few 

 years, has introduced so many new and singular forms of vegetable 

 life to the notice of our present spirited patrons of botany, that they 

 have become nearly as fashionable as the generally more showy and 

 nearly as grotesque family of Orchidacese. Over the latter they pos- 

 sess the advantages of requiring less room, and being of more easy 

 culture ; while the beauty and profusion of the flowers of some of the 

 most common render it no easy task to name their superiors in 

 splendour. 



" To the London amateur they recommend themselves not only by 

 the above advantages, but by many others. Perhaps there is no 

 natural order of plants containing so many species, which would 

 Btand the heat and dust of a London garden or paved court as the 

 order now under consideration. A great many species of the genera 

 Mammillaria, Echinocactus, Cereus, Opuntia, &c, would no doubt 

 grow well in these confined spaces, or in the sunny windows of the 

 house, while the windows and shelves in any room where a moderate 



