The Canadian Horticulturist. 



215 



This class is not all night bloomers. " Coccineus " is a profuse bloomer, flowers 

 six inches in diameter, of intense scarlet lasting several days. The cultivation 

 of " flagelliformus," or rat-tail, is similar to the " Epiphyllums." They are easily 

 grown in any sunny window, and grafted plants especially make handsome speci- 

 mens. Of the columnar kinds, " Baumanni," " Colubrinus," " Dumorteri," 

 " Peruvianus," and others are good growers, increasing in size, beauty, and 

 value every year. All bloom well and make handsome specimens (see cut of 

 Colubrinus, which is true to life). " Baumanni " is similar in habit, a grand 

 bloomer and the flowers, of a bright vermilion and orange yellow, are dazzling in 

 their brilliancy. Give all the sun heat possible ; this class is never injured but 

 always benefited by exposure to the sun, only keep the pots covered or shaded 



Fin. 775. — Night-Bloomisg Ckrecs. 



to prevent the roots from being scorched. Have the soil open and porous and 

 give plenty of water while growing, and weak manure water once a week. Sheep 

 manure is the best, as it seems to be mild as well as rich ; cow manure the next. 

 In winter large specimens of the columnar kinds will not require any water 

 unless the p'ace is warm, but the less the better; the semi-climbing varieties must 

 have a little occasionally. The sub-genus " Pilocereus " are a peculiar class, 

 with only a few varieties. " Pilocereus Senilis," " The Old Man Cactus," is the 

 only one of this class generally grown, and is one of the strangest of plants, a 

 wonderful, weird-looking thing, covered with long white hair " like the hoary 

 3 



