24 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



could all be had in flower durini^- September 

 and October, and do not require any j4"reat 

 skill in cultivation. The best kind of bulbs 

 for fall flowerin<if for this purpose, would be 

 the gladiolus. All the plants, seeds, etc., 

 should be as nearly alike as possible, so 

 that there would be no cause for complaint 

 in that respect. A few simple directions as 

 to how to sow the seed and plant the bulbs, 

 could easily be g-jven at the time of the 

 distribution. 



The first day of Ma}' ( May-Day) would 

 be a g'ood time to make the distribution, as 

 it is not only about the rij^ht season for 

 sowing- flower seeds, etc., but it would 

 probably revive and perpetuate in the mem- 

 ory of many of our readers ol mature age, 

 the pleasing floral and festive seenes of an 

 old-fashioned May-Day celebration, that 

 perhaps they may have taken part in in the 

 old land in days gone by. These remarks 

 may be thought to be too sentimental in an 

 article o'i this kind in this practical, go-ahead 



age ; but sentimental though it mav be, 

 there is a magnetic influence that prevades 

 these and similar old associations, that has 

 perhaps been more instrumental than we 

 give them credit for, in causing the recent 

 outburst of patriotism from Britain's colonies, 

 and that has startled the old-world, and 

 appraised it oi the fact that the children of 

 the motherland the world over, are prepared 

 to stand by her, and by each other, in the 

 time of difficulty and trouble. And none ol 

 us are able to estimate the good effect the 

 encouragement of the ennobling pursuit of 

 the culture and love for the many beautiful 

 plants and flowers to be found in the floral 

 world, and the influence they may have in 

 moulding the character and principles of our 

 children, so that they will be able to look 

 back in years to come at the many happy 

 hours spent in these and other pleasing 

 pursuits, when perhaps they are far away 

 from the scenes of their childhood. 



Hamilton. HoRTUS. 



CACTUS LORE. 



UR Canadian winter being now upon 

 j|a,»j| us, the most of the Cacti family are 



having their season of rest, and it 

 is during this resting season that 

 care must be taken to allow these odd plants 

 their natural treatment. In their native 

 climate this resting season means a long 

 drought, and at such times the plant shrinks 

 into itself, and presents a half dead appear- 

 ance. The spiny, globular sorts, look to be 

 still more closely covered with their porcu- 

 pine-like protection, and give a very decided 

 warning that growth has ceased for that 

 season. To the inexperienced they may 

 look about dead, and a mistaken idea of 

 forcing them back to their freshness and 



growing condition, will be usually followed 

 by the loss of the plant entirely. 



The best treatment is to allow the rest 

 nature demands, by withholding water 

 almost entirely. Set the plants, if conven- 

 ient, in a dry cool place, where they will 

 have light. They will winter in a dark 

 room, but the bloom will be much less in 

 the spring, than if light has been supplied 

 to them while resting. 



Another advantage of the light corner or 

 window, is that when the sun commences to 

 get strong in the spring, and growth begins, 

 it will not be puny and white, but will be the 

 natural growth of the plant, improving the 

 specimen instead of detracting from its 



