General Mikes. 303 



thiivl or fourth joint, at this time, in order to make them bushy, and 

 are also shifted into No. 2 pots, usinsj a little turfy loam and sand, 

 with the compost below mentioned. For a few days, but little air is 

 admitted, but at the end of this ])eriod, as much is given as the state 

 of the atmosphere will allow, until the first of December, when the 

 plants must be again shifted into No. S pots. A little fowl-dirt is 

 added at this shifting, placing it near the bottom of the pot. The 

 shoots are again stopped at the third joint, and the house kept at a 

 temperature of 45° for ten days, and then allowed to fall to 40"^ or 

 42°, at which it is kept. The flues are damped hoo or three times 

 every night, to prevent the air from becoming too dry. 



About the middle of February, those plants intended as large spe- 

 cimen plants, are shifted again into No. 4 pots; those very strong 

 into No. 5. A small stick is now put to each stem, to train them 

 into uniform and well shaped plants. By the beginning of April, 

 the plants are syringed over the tops, three times a week; the house 

 is well damped every night at the bottom, and the to]) sashes opened 

 the first thing in the morning, to allow the damp air to escape, and 

 during the day all the air is admitted that can be given with safety. 

 The plants, when beginning to bloom, are freely watered, and pro- 

 tected from the scorching rays of the sun, during the middle of the 

 day, by means of canvass. When the plants are housed, all decay- 

 ed leaves are removed, and if the green fly appears, the house must 

 be well fumigated. This should be done when the plants are in a 

 dry state, and they must be well watered the day following. 



When the flowering is over, the plants are exposed to the sun and 

 air, to harden the wood before being cut down. In July, when the 

 plants are cut down, they should be placed in a sheltered situation, 

 and but little water given; and as soon as the new shoots are an 

 inch long, they are repotted into pots from one to two sizes smaller, 

 the old soil being shaken from the roots, and good drainage given. 

 When repotted, they are placed upon the stage in a shady situation, 

 removed into the house at the proper time, and undergo the same 

 treatment as abovo recommended for young plants. When these 

 plants show their flowers, and are intended for exhibition, they re- 

 ceive additional care, and are watered with liquid manure occasion- 

 ally : they are not syringed at the top: bees are kept out of the 

 house by means of gauze blinds; they are never allowed to flag from 

 exposure to the sun, or want of water. Training the stems to sticks 

 must again take place, in order to bring the plants into proper and 

 handsome shape. 



The compost used is as follows: — two barrowfuls of good mead- 

 ow loam with the turf; one barrowful well rotted cow dung, three 

 years old; one peck sand; one peck bone dust. For winter potting, 

 a little more sand is added. — (Gard. Chron.) 



Cultivation of the Cacti. — On the 19th of May, a paper was read 

 by Mr. Beaton before the London Horticultural Society, and the 

 same appears in the Proceedings of the society lately published. Mr. 

 Beaton is one of the most intelligent gardeners in England, and his 

 remarks are worthy of the most attentive perusal. The following 

 extracts from his communication will convey some valuable hints in 

 the cultivation of the cactus tribe, now so much more admired than 

 heretofore : — 



