184 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



MESEMBRYANTHEMUM 



Of these splendid succulent plants, there is a numerous 

 family, natives of the Cape of Good Hope, most of which 

 are green-house plants, flowering from June to September. 

 This tribe is easily propagated by cuttings, taken off in 

 the spring or fall, and watered sparingly at first. They 

 are well calculated for rock work, and do well in the open 

 ground, planted in a bed in May, about eighteen inches 

 apart. The dwarf kinds should be placed nearest the 

 path ; they require less water than those of a more 

 vigorous growth, which should be in the middle. To 

 make them flower well, the sun should be allowed its full 

 influence, or the flowers will not expand to perfection. 

 They will require to be watered every day; and your 

 trouble will be well paid with a splendid display of showy 

 flowers. In October the plants should be taken up and 

 potted. Give them good drainage and water sparingly 

 through the winter. It will be found that plants three 

 years old will flower best, and they are best suited for the 

 open ground. The soil should be a rich loam, with one 

 eighth of sharp sand. Some of the Mesembryanthemums 

 will live out all the winter in the Southern states, if pro- 

 tected from the rain. 



