The Canadian Horticulturist. 



409 



CACTI. 



Y best success with fresh cacti received in summer was as 

 follows : I had a common frame with sash hinged and 

 raised at all times except in damp or cool weather. On 

 the hard dirt bottom six inches of sand were placed. 

 After the roots were all cut off the plants were placed on 

 the surface of the sand and showered occasionally, so 

 that the surface of sand was dry soon after, but the bottom was rather moist. 

 In two months they made masses of roots equal to the size of the plants ; in 

 fact, roots as good as you could want on a strawberry plant ; these could be 

 lifted with sand attached and potted in rich soil. To illustrate, take a small fresh 

 plant, say of the echinocactus family, and suspend it an inch over a glass of 

 water — watch the result 



In a bed as described, three feet square, planted close with Echinocactus 

 ccBspttosus, I had from fifteen to twenty-five flowers open every day for over six 

 weeks, hundreds of beautiful pink and magenta blossoms, three inches across 

 and sweet-scented, open to the glare of the sun for days. E. Strnpsoni produces 

 its rosy flowers as profusely, as many as eight being on a plant the size of a 

 hen's egg. 



Amateurs should not be discouraged. Investigation may perhaps show 

 that too much water at times and not enough at others may be the cause of 

 failure, but in most cases it is poor drainage. To the beginner I would say, put 

 a four-inch board on a pair of ten cent brackets in a south-facing window and 

 set thereon twelve saucers, then twelve small pots in them and a plant in each 

 pot. For soil I take one-half sharp sand and the balance of rich loam with 

 some lime or old plaster, fill the pots one-third with charcoal for drainage. Let 

 the plant rest immediately on sand or small pebbles, and water once, no more, 

 until growth begins. 



Cuttings should be placed in the sun for three or four days before planting 

 them and kept about dry until rooted. They root best in clear sand. The 

 safest rule is to err on the side of dryness. — Gardening. 



