230 ON THE CULTURE OF THE GENUS CACTUS. 



sand. A little water is given to settle the soil at the lime of 

 insertion, and it does not require repeating, till quite dry. 



The soil I grow them in is composed of loam and leaf mould 

 equal parts, and about one quarter of old lime rubbish from walls. 

 When the plants have done blooming, I shake off a portion of the 

 old soil of the established large plants, and repot them, then place 

 them in the stove till they have pushed considerably. I then turn 

 them out of doors if not in winter, and when the weather is too 

 severe I place them in a cold part of the greenhouse. My object 

 in doing this is to cause the sap to condense, and thus fill the 

 shoots : this is exhibited by the reddish purple hue which they 

 assume. When I wish to have a plant in bloom, I introduce 

 one that has been so treated into the hothouse, having a high 

 temperature ; a liberal supply of water is given whenever the plant 

 becomes dry. A profusion of flowers is speedily produced. I 

 have plants in bloom every week in the year. When done bloom- 

 ing I treat as before stated. 



When a young plant requires repotting, I do not break the ball 

 of earth, but keep it entire, till it is grown in a pot sufficiently 

 large for an established one. 



I have tried to cultivate several of the sorts altogether in my 

 sitting-room and anti-room ; and by attending to the alteration in 

 temperature, I have succeeded most satisfactorily, quite equal to 

 those I grew in the stove. 



The kinds I cultivate are the undermentioned. 



Cactus Jenkinsonia Cactus hexaudria 



truucatus royena 



Henchmmaunia tuna 



Akermannia opuntia 



-speciosus Mallissonia 



■ speciosissimus flagelliforaris. 



Medicus. 



Manchester, Aug. Slh, 1835. 



