3M Gtmtral XolUes. 



The frand emporiani for Cicti is Mexico, but vast numbers are 

 fbaod ia all parts of South America. A few inhabit the sea coast, 

 aad some fine oereuses and opundas hare been found growing 

 down to tlie water^s edge, in the hottest part of the globeT Such 

 species occar abundandr in open arid places, and seem to enjoy the 

 r^ectioo of the sun's rays from a naked soil, in addition to the 

 seorchiosr ray^ of the atmosphere. From this region up to the limits 

 of perpetual snow, or nearly so, some are to be met with at every 

 eleTaCkm. In the latitudes of the periodical rains, etuti are deluged 

 three or four, or fire months at a dme, while they are complefely 

 dry for the rest of the year. 



The author stated thai the alpine species should receive the treat- 

 meot of the heath house, and the melocacti which inhabit the interior 

 tm^cal shores, u. hi«faer temperature than the rest of the family ; in 

 the latter the mean temperature of 55*^ is necessary even in winter ; 

 hot if Aejr are kept perfecdy dry from October till March, they will 

 Ii»e ia a mock k»wer degree, Tlie great mass of the species do* per- 

 fectly well in a temperaiure of 45- to 5<H if they are kept near the 

 glass. 



>A ith regard to sofl, some grow in stiff yellow clay, mixed with 

 rough gravel, and some in fine strong loam of different textures and 

 colors ; othos are found in all kinds of li^ht soil, in p>eat and among 

 chalk and limestODe, and even in the sterile lava of volcanic district::. 

 £qual quantities of pounded oyster shells and coal clinkers form by 

 far the best drainage Aatcanbe nsed. keeping the £nest parts to- 

 wvdsthe top. Alayer of ohks, placed on the drainage, would kill 

 the fewst d(Hts of Cacti, and most never be used for them. When 

 finesh potted, water b withheM for several days, in order to let any 

 roots which maj have been bn^en, have time to dry ; otherwise, lif 

 uwJJnii. B allied to the woondb when fresh, death will soon be the 



In gimtin g Cicti from seeds, Mr. Beaton fills the pots with cio- 

 dets to within two inches of the top. and makes them up with dry 

 sandy peat and a litde dean sand on the top. The pots are then 

 watoed and the seeds sown, after which as much dry sand is sprink- 

 led over them as wOI jiEt fiQ up the spaces be t wee n them ; the whole 

 is then pr esse d down gendy. and the pots are pat up in any warm 

 place where they are kept moist. The seeds will vegetate in ten or 

 twdve days, and must then be Tery gendy watered for fear of dis- 

 placing till th^ make thor litde roots, and get firm hold of the soil, 

 after which they may be freely and regularly watered. The seed- 

 lings sboald not be trans|danted while young, but the seeds should be 

 sown thinly and the plants allowed to reoiain in the seed pots until 

 they become crowded, which wfll be in from one to two year?. 



The author, in conclnsioB, adverted to the advantages cf what may 

 he expected from hybridizing cacti, and the production of new and 

 beaatiful forms and rlimrn by joficioos mixture of the various spe- 

 des.— (GflnL CAtml) 



Cw^ffia jmpomiem car. eximim. — ^This beandful variety is a very 

 Ay bloomer. We notice that in order to make it flower, a writer in 

 tke Cfmrdemer'* Ckromide recommends placing the plants in the stove 

 in March, in oider to set their Ux»son>s: by this means the writer 

 was cnatied to make them flower as speedily as any other plants. 



