148 ON THE TREATMENT OF CACTI. 



fire was kept, would form very good winter quarters for them. In 

 fact, if room were an object during the winter months, they might be 

 turned out of their pots, the mould shaken from their roots, and be 

 then hung up in bags in any dry room secure from the frost. The 

 principal ^thing to be guarded against besides would be too much 

 wet in the autumn. 



" The culture of this order divides into two or three distinct 

 methods of treatment. For Cereus grandiflorus, C. serpentinus, and 

 their allies, the rafters of a stove, and not the back wall (most fre- 

 quently their station), is the most suitable trellis, where they can 

 extend to a proper size to flower, and can have the full benefit of sun 

 and air. The different species of Epiphyllum, Cereus speciosissi- 

 mus, and others of the order most nearly allied in habit, require a 

 richer compost, more water, and an autumn ripening out of doors* 

 The melon shaped Cacti want an airy situation, and every ray of sun- 

 shine our climate is capable of affording them. They all require 

 thorough drainage, great attention in watering, full exposure to light* 

 and a hot and dry exposure, to ripen and fit them for flowering. 



" To see the way in which the most of this order of plants are 

 treated in the generality of gardens, one would hardly suppose them 

 possessed of sufficient beauty or interest to render them worthy of 

 any care. Even the Epiphyllums, always in request for their splen- 

 dour, are generally found fagoted up to a stick big enough for a hedge- 

 stake, the surface of the mould covered with moss, and if the mould 

 is examined, it will be very often found to be nearly half lime rubbish. 

 Cereus grandiflorus is seldom seen in a healthy state, and still less 

 frequently in a flowering state. Surely these fine plants are worth a 

 little more attention. A tithe of the trouble generally lavished on 

 egg-plants, amaranths, and also on many newer introductions of less 

 beauty, would grow these plants in good style, and give greater satis- 

 faction to most plant fanciers. 



" A good mellow loam, white sand, and potshreds broken small, 

 are the principal requisites for a compost for most of these plants. 

 Manure of any kind must be sparingly used, except for the Epiphyl- 

 lums, and other free growing and flowering sorts. But even with 

 them perhaps an occasional watering with liquid manure would be 

 preferable, as any crude manure in the compost would be liable to 

 retain moisture too long, and retard their ripening in the autumn. A 



