64 CACTACEOUS PLANTS. 



the assistance afforded should be of a moat liberal cbaracter, and it is 

 only by such means that the finest and most abundant flowers can be 

 produced. There is, then, little fear of giving too much manurial aid to 

 these plants, and, as an example of this, I have been informed that many 

 years ago some exceedingly line specimen Epiphyllums were grown in a 

 garden in Lincolnshire, potted in a compost of equal parts good loam 

 and old Mushroom-bed manure. These attained the age of twenty years, 

 and annually bore an enormous number of flowers — a suflicient proof that 

 the treatment suited them ; but they were in experienced hands, 

 and the smaller proportion of manure advocated above is, to say the 

 least, safer. It matters very little what kind of manure is employed, 

 bat I give the preference to that from the cowyard, using it in a dry 

 state and finely broken for mixing in the soil, while as a liquid it is 

 equally beneficial. Clay's Fertiliser, either in the compost or mixed with 

 loam as a top-dressing, is also a valuable stimulant, and manure collected 

 in fowl roosts or runs suits Epiphyllums admirably. 



Some importance is attached by a few growers to the due employment 

 of lime rubbish or charcoal in the soO, but this is by no means so essential 

 as is supposed, though a few nodules of charcoal or finely broken bricks 

 assist in keeping the drainage in proper condition. During the growing 

 and flowering periods abundance of water is necessary, and in conse- 

 quence every care must be exercised, especially for large specimens, tO' 

 insure that the pots are thoroughly drained. This can be easily effected 

 in the usual way with potsherds, or crocks as they are commonly termed, 

 and then there will be no danger in supplying water liberally. 



After flowering less moisture will be required, and the soil may be 

 allowed to become partially dry for a few weeks, only giving a little 

 water to prevent the branches being rendered flaccid. Then as growth is 

 resumed the water supply may be increased, and with occasional 

 syringings progress will be rapid in a suitable temperature. This should 

 range from 55° to 65°, or ten degrees higher with sun heat, and when the 

 plants flower they may be arranged in an ordinary greenhouse or con- 

 servatory. Much depends upon a thorough maturation of the growth, 

 and therefore the plants must at all times have a position fully exposed 

 to the sun, as they never need shading, and with proper attention to 

 ventilation to avoid rendering the growth weak, good results may be 

 confidently expected. 



PeopAOATiost. — Epiphyllums are readily increased by cuttings 

 grafting, and seeds, the two former methods being most frequently 

 practised, the other being resorted to chiefly with the object of producing 

 new varieties. Cuttings of two, three, or more joints of the branches 

 strike readily at any season of the year if inserted in pots of sandy soil, 



