APRIL 283 



cresses in pots and pans, with some measure of success. 

 But I never feel my ignorance without looking about for 

 some book which recounts an experience greater than 

 my own. I have found a perfectly comprehensive little 

 manual called ' Home Culture of the Watercress,' by 

 Shirley Hibberd (E. W. Allen, 1878). Anyone interested 

 in the subject should try and get this book. The reason 

 of my comparative failure is that I did not stand the pans 

 in receptacles that would hold water. Also Watercresses 

 are much better grown from small cuttings than from 

 seed. Mr. Hibberd says that, if kept sufficiently moist 

 and grown in his way, in about twenty days or less one 

 ought to be able to pick a nice dish of Cresses. There 

 is no garden, however small or dry, if watering can be 

 abundant, that cannot grow Watercresses in summer 

 quite successfully as he recommends. The winter supply 

 requires to be kept from frost. 



From the point of view of a real Cactus lover I am 

 but a weak-kneed disciple. I confess that a greenhouse 

 full of these plants in various stages of bumpiness and 

 without a single flower, as is often the case, leaves me 

 cold and rather depressed. But to grow a certain number 

 is of very great interest to me. The power they have of 

 clinging to life is shared by few plants. This accounts for 

 the fact that some of the finest kinds may be seen occasion- 

 ally in cottage windows. The most gratifying point about 

 cottage-window gardening is that in it fashion is unknown. 

 Plants are handed down from father to son, with a total 

 disregard as to whether these are fashionable or not. For 

 a lengthened period Cactuses have been a neglected 

 family. Just lately magnificent groups have been ex- 

 hibited by London nurserymen, so they are fast coming 

 to the front again. 



Since writing my last book I have learnt by experience 

 a good deal more about Cactus culture. In this country 



