■C6 CACTACEOUS PLANTS. 



12 inches from the base to the summit of the stock, regulating them so 

 that the specimen will have a uniform appearance. As to the time whea 

 grafting should be performed it matters little, as with care a satisfactory 

 union can be efEected at any season ; the spring is, however, preferable, 

 and it is a good plan to keep the stocks rather dry for a few days befoie- 

 the operation is commenced. 



Specimen Plants. — When grown to a large size Epiphyllums make 

 magnificent specimens either as standards or pyramids, and their value 

 cannot be too highly estimated. Probably the finest examples of the 

 kind in the country are those at Orwell Park, near Ipswich, the residence 

 of George Tomline, Esq., where these plants have for some years been 

 admirably grown by Mr. J. Wallis. During the winter months — namely, 

 from November until February, these produce a never-failing display of 

 brilliant flowers, and have awakened the admiration and surprise o£ 

 many horticulturists. Writing in reference to his mode of culture, Mr^ 

 Wallis has favoured me with the following remarks, which possess especial 

 value as the result of such successful practice : — 



"The Epiphyllums here are grown tor flowering in the conservatory, and 

 are usually gay from the first week in November till February. During^ 

 the remainder of the year they occupy a three-quarter span-roof house in 

 which an intermediate temperature is maintained. All our Epiphyllums 

 are grafted on the Pereskia aculeata. We graft a few at intervals of two 

 or three years, so it any of the older plants become sickly or shabby they 

 are thrown away and the younger ones grown on. Some of the stocks 

 are worked to form pyramids and some to make standards. The height 

 of the pyramids is 6 feet, and to form these six or eight scions are inserted. 

 The heads of the standards are on stems ranging in height from 4 feet 

 C inches down to 18 inches. To form these heads only one scion is put 

 on the stock. Some of our oldest pyramids are 4 to 5 feet through at the 

 base, and the heads of standards quite as much. When in bloom some 

 of the heads of the taller standards droop almost to the pots. Much 

 larger dimensions could easily be obtained, but we have to keep our plants- 

 of a manageable size on account of moving them to and from the conser- 

 vatory. The pyramids occupy No. 2 and No. 4-sized pots, the standards- 

 8's and 12's. Each plant is secured to a strong iron stake, with three 

 prongs fitting the inside of the pot, so as to stand firm and erect, and the 

 Epipbyllum is kept well supported to the stakes by ties of stout wire. 

 After the plants are well established they are easily managed, and go 

 many years without repotting ; but of course we top-dress annually, 

 previously removing as much of the old soil as will come away easily. 

 We grow these plants with plenty of ventilation on all favourable occa- 

 sions, and they are never shaded. During active growth water is given 



