The Canadian Horticulturist. 



293 



the common varieties live out of doors all the year and bloom profusely in 

 summer. 



Diseases of cacti are few, rot is about the only one, and is always caused by 

 extreme cold, or over watering. Cut away all decayed parts at once, and dust 

 with powdered charcoal and keep dry, though the shape of the plant will be 

 ruined, you are likely to get oflF-shoots from the sound part. The only insect 

 that is really troublesome is the mealy bug ; for this, various insecticides are 

 used ; kerosene emulsion is effective, leave on for an hour or two, then wash 

 with clean water, but the writer has found nothing so clean, cheap and thorough 

 as alcohol, especially with a drop or two of fir tree oil added. With an atomizer, 

 to be had at any druggist's, you can reach ever)' part with a fine spray that dries 



at once, nothing is wasted, but it is certain death to the insects, and no washing 

 is necessary. Should a plant have been neglected, they may have got down to 

 the roots, remove the plant and wash the roots thoroughly, when dry, repot ; 

 look over your plants regularly in winter, and never allow the insects to get a 

 start. 



Those, if any, who have followed these rambling remarks, hurriedly written 

 owing to the pressure of other work, may think the instructions elaborate, and 

 requirements many and difficult to provide, but the reverse is the case, cacti 



