166 



THE TREE DOCTOR 



same as the others, or the night after. This coincidence might 

 have just "happened," but it is worthy of consideration by lovers 

 of these strange plants. 



It is a known fact that the Cactus will stand a good deal of 

 "hard usage," but it does not follow that it is wise to neglect or 

 abuse them. Good drainage and light soil is what they need ; 

 soil that is composed of rotted sods, sand and leaf-mould. There 

 is nothing easier grown, or prettier for winter than what is 

 known as the "Crab Cactus," especially when grafted into a 

 stronger grower. 



Photo 150, Pruning Altheas. 



Among the interesting flowering shrubs are the "Altheas," 

 so-called. But few plants are easier to grow. In regions where 

 the "changes" are extreme they sometimes "winter-kill." A 

 little protection, as suggested for the Rhododendrons, might 

 avert trouble. It is known that with their rapid growing ten- 

 dencies, and "crotched" joints they have a strong tendency to 

 split. In the eastern states, a method of pruning back has come 

 into favor as shown in Photo 150. This is done in winter or 

 early spring, and from the one or two eyes left on each branch 

 strong flower shoots are developed, resulting in the compact 

 flower display, shown in 151. 



