THE 



VOL. IX.] 



SEPTEMBER, 1886. 



[No. 9. 



SOME INTERESTII^G SPECIES OF CACTUS, 



In a former number we called atten- 

 tion to the Cactus tribe as presenting 

 some very remarkable forms of plant 

 growth, such as were full of interest to 

 every lover of nature, and at the same 

 time yielding flowers, in many instances 

 exceedingly beautiful in form and color- 

 ing, and often of most delightful per- 

 fume. 



In this number our readers will be 

 pleased to see a few more examples 

 drawn from nature and engraved by 

 Mr. Blanc, of Philadelphia, who has 

 given much attention to the study and 

 cultivation of this unique family. 



Mamillaria decipiens — He has found 

 to be veiy easy of cultivation, enduring 

 rough usage, and yielding in abundance 

 its very large yellow flowers, which last 

 for several days. 



Echinocactua horizonthalonius — Is a 

 beautiful species found growing in 

 strong soil at the summit of hills. The 

 flowers are funnel shaped, of a purplish 

 pink color, the sepals being tipped with 

 a darker shade of purple, producing a 

 very pretty effect. The stamens are 

 very numerous, and the contrast be- 

 \veen the yellow anthers and the white 

 iilaments which support them gives a 

 very pleasing appearance to the flowers. 



^ 



This variety is also very easy to grow 

 and is one of the finest of this genus. 



Epij)hyllum truncatum — Is probably 

 more frequently met with as a window 

 plant than any other variety of Cactus. 

 The plants of this genus are of a free^ 

 quick growth, hence they sooli attain td 

 a considerable size ; being profuse flower- 

 ing, and the flowers marked by many 

 rich and bright shades of color, they are 

 attractive objects for a considei-able 

 length of time. 



Mr. Blanc gives the following direct- 

 tions for their cultivation. '• The best 

 '• system is to employ a small proportion 

 " of manure, say one fourth of the bulk 

 " of the soil, and to give what further 

 " assistance may be needed either in a 

 " liquid state or as a top dressing. The 

 " Pereskia, upon which Epiphyillums 

 " are usually grafted, is a strong root- 

 " ing, and quick growing plant, absorb- 

 " ing moisture and nutriment from the 

 " soil very rapidly ; therefore when it 

 " is beaiing a large head of Epiphyllum 

 " the assistance afforded should be of a 

 ^* most liberal character, and it is only 

 " by such means that the finest and 

 " most abundant flowers can be pro- 

 " duced. After flowering, the soil may 

 " be allowed to become partially dry 



