2i6 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



head of an old man." Cultivation, same as for other cereus, only lime in the soil 

 in the shape of old mortar is beneficial. When the hair gets dusty or dirty it 

 can be washed in tepid soap suds ; tie a cloth over the pot to keep the soil from 

 falling out, turn the plant upside down and souse until clean, then rinse in clean 

 -water and his hair will be white as snow. Do not fail to get an " Old Man," it 

 will be a constant source of wonder and delight to you and all your friends. A 

 new variety has lately been discovered in the rocky islands of the Pacific, " Sar- 

 gentianus," with hair of a reddish-brown color inclined to be curly. Unlike the 

 Old Man, whose hair is most plentiful and long when young, decreasing with age, 

 this new one does not have hair until it has obtained some age and from two to 

 three feet tall. It is said to be a strong grower, making a heavy fine plant, but 



is at present very high priced and rare. 



Cactus Crank. 



Gladiolus. — The first planting can be made as soon as the soil is in con- 

 dition to work, and the smallest bulbs should be put in first, leaving the largest 

 and strongest for the last planting, which should not be made before the middle 

 of July, then they will come into bloom after the excessive heat of summer is 

 over, and the spikes of bloom will be more than double the length and strength 

 of those that appear in July and August. The bulbs for this purpose must be 

 kept cool, and in a dark, dry room. Cold storage would suit them admirably, 

 if the temperature does not fall below 34°. Put some bulbs in as early as you 

 do sweet peas, and plant at intervals of two weeks up to July. Seedlings will 

 bloom the second year from the seed, and 25 per cent of Lemoine's strain will 

 bloom the first year ; they are also the earliest. Cut the bulbs as you would 

 potatoes if you would increase your stock quickly. Light colors are the most 

 desirable. Plant deeply — four to six inches— this saves the trouble of staking ; 

 but do not cultivate deeply. 



Staking^ and Mulching of Sweet Peas. — As soon as the plants are above 

 ground they should at once be staked. This is a most important operation. 

 Nice twiggy new sticks (if possible) should be secured. I prefer the sticks 

 undressed. The delight and beauty of the sweet pea is to ramble and hang 

 from the points of the twigs, and therefore should be allowed to ramble at will ; 

 and what is of the last importance is a mulch of some light material. Should 

 the weather be dry and hot, any refuse, such as well-decomposed leaf-mould, 

 spent hops, or horse-droppings well broken, will answer this purpose, or all these 

 mixed together would form an excellent dressing, and this to the sweet pea, and, 

 indeed, to everything else, is of infinitely more importance than watering, bene- 

 ficial as this is in some cases. The stakes should be put in with the crowbar, 

 and made thoroughly firm. 



