314 .PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. 



Bromeliacece (Pine-Apple Family). The most familiar genera of 

 this Family are Ananassa (Pine-apple), ^Echmca, Bilbergia, Bromelia, and 

 Tillandsia, one of the species of the latter being the well known Spanish 

 moss of Florida and other parts of the South. The Ananassa or Pine- 

 apple is the most important genus in this family, and now exists in both 

 its wild and cultivated state in all the warmer or tropical countries of 

 America. There are a number of varieties in cultivation, and all are 

 propagated by cuttings made of the sprouts which naturally spring up 

 around the base of the main stem. When the fruit is cut off the sprouts 

 appear in more or less abundance, and these are slipped off and planted 

 in sand where they can be given bottom heat. The <dchmcas t Bilbergias, 

 and Bromelias arc readily propagated in the same way, all requiring a 

 rather high temperature and abundance of water to insure vigorous 

 growth and free blooming plants. When at rest they need but just suf- 

 ficient moisture to prevent shrivelling. 



Cactacese (Cactus Family). An immense order or family of succu- 

 lent or fleshy plants, mostly destitute of true leaves, the functions of 

 these useful organs on other plants being performed by the green rind 

 of the columnar, flattened, or other shaped stems and branches. These 

 plants arc most abundant in the warmer regions of North and South 

 America, but some of the species grow at high altitudes in the tropics, 

 and others extend far northward, where they are subjected to a temper- 

 ature many degrees below zero in winter. The most popular and best 

 known genera are Cereus, Mammilaria, Mclocactus, Epiphyllum, Echino- 

 cactus, Phyllocactus, Opunlia, and Pcrcskia. We have no family of plants 

 that thrive under neglect nor respond more fully to good care than the 

 Cactuses. They all need moisture while growing, and very little or none 

 at all white at rest. There are many species found in the higher regions 

 of the West and South that withstand a temperature of ten or more 

 degrees below zero in their native habitats, where rains seldom fall in 

 winter, and yet these same species are quickly destroyed by slight freez- 

 ing in a moist climate or atmosphere. Cactuses from the cool and ele- 

 vated regions of New Mexico, Arizona and Old Mexico should not be 

 exposed to the direct rays of the sun when cultivated in our Atlantic 

 States, as the heat is often much greater than it is in their native habi- 

 tats, and shade during the middle of the day should always be given to 

 plants placed outdoors during the summer months. Propagation is 

 effected by seeds, cuttings, and grafting. Seeds arc rarely employed 

 except for producing new varieties, but cuttings of the species and 

 varieties with columnar and branching stems strike root very readily if 

 placed in sand or any light, loose soil. The cuttings should be watered 

 very sparingly until they are well supplied with roots. The small globu- 

 lar Melon and Hedgehog Cactuses are usually propagated by removing 

 the small sprouts appearing at the base or sides of the old plants. Graft- 

 ing the smaller species, such as the Crab Cactuses (Epiphyllum\ on the 

 Stronger, upright-growing species, is extensively practised by florists, and 

 with great success. The stocks usually recommended are the Pcrcskia 



