ON THE TREATMENT OF CACTI. 149 



sufficient drainage of potshreds to secure the plants against the least 

 chance of damp, and allow water to pass freely through, is of the first 

 importance, and, broken smalhand mixed with the compost, is of great 

 use to the Melocacti and all the smaller species. Another point not 

 sufficiently attended to is, to be very careful not to overpot even the 

 strongest growing sorts. In fact, this is the besetting sin of many 

 gardeners with almost every description of plant. 



" When the Epiphyllums have done flowering, well thin out the 

 least promising of the old and young wood, pot them into a good 

 loamy compost, with less sand and more manure than for any of the 

 other species, and set them into a moderately warm house until they 

 begin to grow freely. An airy but warm greenhouse will soon be the 

 fittest place for them, as, if kept too close, no wood of any strength 

 will be produced. As soon as they arrive near their strongest growth, 

 reduce their allowance of water gradually, and when they feel firm 

 and have nearly done growing, put them out in a hot place, exposed to 

 as much sun and air as possible, but protected from wet. They will 

 not shrivel for a long time, and those that do will be generally found 

 to be deficient of a proper supply of roots, and not properly ripened. 

 Plants thus managed will be found to flower well, and can be forced 

 or retarded so as to produce their flowers for a considerable length 

 of time. 



" Melocactus, Echinocactus, and Mammillaria must have a poorer 

 soil and very complete drainage. A little well-decayed leaf mould, 

 good loam, and, if the loam is too stiff, some nice sandy peat and a 

 good supply of sand and small potshreds will be found as good a soil 

 for these plants as can be had. Their roots seem very fond of grow- 

 ing among small potshreds, and where growing freely, soon mat them- 

 selves altogether among the drainage. Some cultivators cover the sur- 

 face of the mould round the plants with small stones or white sand to 

 prevent damp. Both plans are unsightly and unnecessary if a proper 

 quantity of sand and potshreds are mixed with the loam. When 

 it is necessary to shift any of these plants, if in soil they do not seem 

 to like, shake them out, clear away all decayed roots, being particular 

 not to injure the heel or stem of the plant. Put plenty of drainage at 

 bottom, and also mixed with the compost ; spread the roots as well as 

 possible, not allowing them to cross or mat more than can be helped ; 

 fill and fix the mould firmly to support the plant, water over head 



