8 CACTUS CULTURE FOB AMATEURS. 



of the stem remained green, but it had formed roots of its own, 

 which had grown down the dead lower portion of the stem, and 

 were perfectly healthy. We sometimes find when examining 

 Cactus stems that decay has commenced ; this is carefully cut out 

 with a sharp knife, and the wound exposed to the action of the 

 air till it is dry and callused. 



Watering. 



It will have been gathered that during their season of growth 

 Cacti generally require a good supply of moisture at the root 

 and overhead, followed by a period of rest, that is, almost 

 total dryness, with all the sunlight possible. Their growing 

 season is from the end of April to the middle of August, and during 

 this time they should be kept moderately moist at the root, but 

 not constantly saturated. In a wild state the frequent and heavy 

 rains which ocour in the earlier part of the summer in the American 

 plains supply the moisture necessary to enable *hese plants to 

 make fresh growth. After August, little or no rain falls, and they 

 then gradually assume a shrivelled appearance, which is really 

 a sign of ripeness, promising a plentiful crop of flowers when the 

 rainy season again returns. 



As the sun in England is never so powerful as in the hot plains 

 of America, it will be evident that, if flowers are to be produced, 

 we must see that the plants have sufficient water in early summer, 

 and little or none during the autumn and winter, whilst the whole 

 year round they should be exposed to all the sunlight possible. 

 It is important to remember that if water is liberally supplied 

 throughout the summer, the plante cannot obtain the rest which 

 is necessary to their ripening and producing flowers, dryness at the 

 root alone being not sufficient, it must be accompanied by exposure 

 to bright sunlight before the summer is over. 



In a garden where Cacti are well managed they are treated 

 as follows : For the genera Cereus, Echinopsis, Echinocactus, 

 Mamillaria, Opuntia, and Melocactus moist tropical conditions are 

 provided. In April the plants are well watered at the root, and 

 syringed overhead both morning and afternoon on all bright days. 

 This treatment is continued till the end of July, when syringing 

 ceases and watering is gradually reduced. At the end of 

 August the plants are placed in a light frame with a south aspect. 

 Here they are kept till the summer is over, and are watered about 

 once a week. The lights are removed on bright sunny days, but 

 are kept on in wet or dull weather and at night. Under this treat- 

 ment many of the species assume a reddish appearance, and the 

 thick fleshy-stemmed kinds shrivel somewhat. This need not cause 

 any alarm ; on the contrary, it is looked upon as a good sign for 

 flowers. 



