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THE CACTUS HOBBY. 



N eminent writer has said "everybody should have 

 a hobby because it individuaHses one," and 

 amongst the various hobbies none can give purer 

 pleasure than the cultivation of fruits, plants and 

 flowers. The Canadian Horticulturist is 

 doing a grand work in disseminating informa- 

 tion in this direction, and as its influence is 

 rapidly increasing it must tend to largely 

 develop the resources of our beloved Canada, 

 and the health, wealth and comfort of our 

 people. And while instruction in fruit 

 growing is the special mission of this Journal, it is 

 pleasing to see that the aesthetic side of our nature — the 

 love of flowers — is not neglected. The home, be it 

 ever so humble, surrounded by carefully tended plants? 

 a vine growing over the porch, and flowers in the windows, is an evidence of 

 loving hearts, kindly dispositions and home comforts. Children raised in such 

 an atmosphere are likely to be good, honorable men and women ; vice and 

 crime are not generated amongst flowers. 



Amongst the special hobbies that have existed in former times, every one 

 will recall the tulip mania in Holland when people went almost crazy over these 

 beautiful flowers, until the Government deemed it necessary to interfere and 

 imit prices. 



Orchid growing has been, and is still, a good deal of a craze, but these can 

 only be cultivated by the wealthy, and are, therefore, restricted to that class. 

 About 1830, we are told, there was quite a cactus craze in England, and high 

 prices paid by wealthy amateurs for rare species, but it died oft*, and until the 

 past few years in America cacti were little sought after, but this hobby is at 

 present very rapidly growing. Cactus societies are in existence and being 



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