14 CACTUS CULTURE FOR AMATEUM. 



smaller ones, which are apt to rot at the base when on their own 

 roots. By this means they are raised above the soil whence the 

 injury in winter usually arises, and they are also supplied with 

 food by the roots of the more robust stock upon which they are 

 grafted. Grafting is also adopted for some species to add to the 

 grotesqueness of their appearance ; a spherical Echinocactus or 

 Mamillaria on the columnar stem of another so as to produce 

 the appearance of a drum stick ; or a large turnip-like stem on thre* 

 slender ones suggesting a three-legged stool. As they unite freely 

 with each other, it is possible to produce by means of grafting 

 some very extraordinary- looking specimens. The long drooping 

 Cerent fjagelliformis is seen to advantage when growing upon a 

 tall erect stem. We once had a large Rat's-tail Cactus growing 

 on a stem of Cereus rostmtus, which rotted off just below the 

 point of union. On re-grafting this head on to the Cereus a little 

 lower down, it failed to unite, and, attributing the failure to ill- 

 health in the stock, the Rat's-tail was transferred to a large stem of 

 Pereskia aculeata, the result being a quick union followed by free 

 healthy growth. 



For grafting Cacti little skill is required if one or two rules, 

 which apply to all kinds of grafting, are observed. The period of 

 vigorous growth when the sap of stock and scion is in motion is 

 the most favourable time. It is then only necessary that the parts 

 grafted should be cut so as to fit each other properly, and then 

 bound or fastened together. The ligature used should not be 

 wound round too tightly, or it will prevent the flow of sap. 



Epiphyllums are treated as follows : Cuttings of Pereskia are 

 rooted and grown to the required size, and in September their 

 tops are cut off and used as cuttings. Epiphyllum shoots, usually 

 about 6 inches, are us 3d as scions, removing a thin slice of the fleshy 

 stem on each side so as to form a wedge. The stem of Pereskia 

 is then split down about 1 inch with a sharp knife, and into this 

 the wedge of the scion is fixed either by means of a small pin passed 

 through it and the stem about half-way up the slit, or by binding 

 round them a little worsted or bast. The worked plants are then 

 placed in a frame having a temperature of about 75 degs., and 

 are kept moist by a daily sprinkling with water. As soon as a 

 union has been effected, which will be seen by the scion beginning 

 to grow, the ligature and pin should be removed, and tlie plants 

 gradually hardened off. 



For the spherical-stemmed kinds of Mamillaria, Cereus, 

 Echinocactus, etc., a different method is practised. Instead of 

 cutting the base of the scion to a wedge-shape, a portion of the 

 bottom is sliced off, and a stock procured which, when cut across 

 the top, will about fit the wound, the two sliced parts are placed 

 together and secured either by passing a piece of matting a few 



