76 PLANT CULTURE 



sand and lime rubble; a small quantity of leaf mold may be added. 

 Night temperature, 50 degrees. 



Propagation. Old plants sucker freely, and if severed an inch 

 or so beneath the surface of the ground and put in the propagating 

 bed, they will quickly form new roots and develop into specimens 

 large enough for 5-inch pots within a year. In rooting any of the 

 kinds, take very large pieces; dust the cut part with powdered 

 charcoal; allow it to dry, then put in a pot of dry sand and keep 

 dry till rooted. 



BRYOPHYLLUM. A quite attractive plant when in flower. 

 It is commonly known as the Chinese Lantern Plant. B. pinnatum 

 and B. crenata are the species commonly grown but are not of suffi- 

 cient ornamental value to be grown in quantity. 



Culture. They are quite easy of culture. Give plenty of 

 light, heat and moisture. Use a loose, rich soil with plenty of 

 drainage. 



Propagation. Plants may be grown from seed or cuttings, 

 but the simplest method is to place a full grown leaf on moist sand. 

 In a short time small plants will grow from the notches of the leaves. 



CACTUS. This name is applied to aU the members of the 

 family. Formerly it was the adopted generic name of a large num- 

 ber of plants which are now divided into several genera. Quite a 

 number are hardy in the Middle Atlantic States; among these are 

 Opuntia arborescens, O. Rafinesquii, O. vulgaris, O. missouriensis, 

 and one named 0. phxacantha. Some of the gaudy-flowered green- 

 house kinds, such as Cereiis flageliformis, C. speciosissimus, 

 and the much admired night bloomers Selenicereus (C.) 

 grandiflorus and 5. (C.) Macdonaldm, when in good condition, so 

 far as the drainage and soil in the pot are concerned, may be plunged 

 in a sunny spot out of doors, where they will make growth much 

 superior to that attained in the greenhouse. If the plants are in 

 good health wet seasons will do them no harm. 



Culture. Cacti prefer a cool soil and the air overhead warm; 

 they thrive best when planted in the open ground of the green- 

 house. Never place on benches over heating pipes where the soil 

 dries out. Supply sufficient water to keep the soil moist. Give good 

 drainage, and a small amount of lime should be added to keep the 

 soil from souring. An open, porous, sandy soil is required. 



Propagation. Two of the methods of increasing the stock are 

 by seeds and grafting. In the former method use a soil of equal 



