THE CACTUS. 127 



soon as they have done flowering, and the plants in- 

 duced to make a moderately strong new growth after- 

 wards, without applying strong stimulants in the shape 

 of liquid manure, as this would produce too strong a 

 growth in some of the free-growing sorts, such as 

 Coccinea. 



The Kalosanthes. 



The Crassula of some, which means a plant with a 

 " thick leaf." It is a thick-leaved greenhouse suc- 

 culent plant, of great beauty when in flower. Kalos- 

 anthes Coccinea, or Perfilata Miniata of some, is a 

 superb plant, Some little attention is necessary with 

 this when it is young, in order to obtain a fine and 

 symmetrical specimen. I have had it as large as two 

 feet in diameter and as much in height, symmetrically 

 grown, and full of fine flowers ; but if it is not duly 

 attended to when young, or even when it has become 

 an old plant, it will grow very awkward and never 

 make a handsome plant. 



The cutting from which a well-formed specimen may 

 be expected must be a short one ; and when it has 

 struck, stop it, so as to induce an equal branching out 

 on all sides. Then tie these laterals out to sticks, so as 

 to form a symmetrical plant, Continue these as a per- 

 manent framework, and induce them to branch out 

 again, so as to fill up the body of it. As soon as it has 

 down flowering, cut the laterals back to an inch of 

 their base, and subject the plant to a little warmth to 

 induce it to break well, then keep it cool and dry. 



Old plants may be cut back pretty severely, but 

 occasionally some difficulty is experienced in getting an 

 even and healthy growth from very old ones that have 

 been neglected. Savins: these few difficulties, the Kalos- 

 anthes may be grown by any one. 



The Cactus. 



The Epiphyllum and Cereus classes of this genus 

 may require some occasional pruning, such as cutting 



