150 HOUSE PLANTS 



In the first class are the Indian figs and 

 some species of the genus Cereus, but I 

 would hardly recommend them for the win- 

 dow garden, because they soon get so tall 

 that they are top heavy, and frequently 

 tumble over. 



GOOD TALL PLANTS 



Only two of the tall growing kinds need be 

 included in the amateur's window collection. 

 The Indian figs (Opuntia) have flat, round or 

 club-shaped stems, but they are usually flat, 

 and the joints either round or oblong in 

 shape. The rather large flowers are borne 

 singly on the upper edges of the young growths, 

 and are showy, the usual colour being yellow, 

 but they may also be found in various shades 

 of red. One of the best of this type to grow 

 is 0. microdasysy with flowers two inches 

 across, and greenish yellow in colour. 



A very interesting one, but more difficult 

 to grow, is the dwarf prickly pear (0. crinifera 

 also known as 0. senilis). Instead of spines, 

 it has long, silky white hairs, and must be 

 grown under a bell glass, if the hairs are to 

 be kept clean. It never attains a height of 

 more than about three feet. 



