104 PLANT CULTURE 



the parent stem, only with very weak roots and sometimes none at 

 all. They will root quickly, and may be potted according to their 

 size, in 2- or 3-inch pots, and grown on quickly in a high temperature. 

 When they reach a marketable size the hardening-off process is 

 necessary, or they will not stand long when used for decorating. 

 In C. neo-caledonica, C. t. braziliensis and C. t. amahilis the thick- 

 ened root stocks may be cut up into pieces along with the stems 

 for propagation. C. t. canncBJolia does not succeed so well when 

 cut up into small pieces. It is a splendid decorative plant, standing 

 much rough usage. Moss the tops and afterward place pieces of 

 the stems, at least a foot long, in the bench of a cool house, as they 

 take their own time in sending up growths. The species and forms 

 with highly colored foliage will need a minimum temperature in 

 Winter of at least ss degrees. The others will succeed with the 

 thermometer 15 degrees lower. With the greenhouse kinds loam 

 should predominate in the potting soil, but the others should get a 

 greater quantity of leaf soil. 



COTYLEDON (Echeveria. Hen-and-Chickens) . C. gibbiflora 

 melallica takes a prominent place among serviceable flowering plants 

 during January and February. It is one which is attractive either 

 in or out of bloom, and its cultivation is unattended by any serious 

 difficulties. C. fulgens and C. coccinea are also good. 



Culture. Keep in a warm house where it is rather dry and 

 not exposed to drip. 



Propagation. When done blooming, which will be in a short 

 time, its propagation may be attended to as follows: Take off the 

 top of the main growth with as much stem attached as will enable 

 it, when rooted, to go 2 or 3 inches into the soU; to root them, take 

 as many 4-inch pots as there are tops, stand them on the bench, 

 put a little moss in the bottoms, and then place a cutting in each; 

 this will cause the cut part to callus over without the danger of 

 rotting. In a short time the stems will give out hair-like roots, and 

 when these are from one-half to three-quarters of an inch long, the 

 cuttings may be potted, using soil on the dry side, and kept rather 

 dry until the plants have made roots enough to demand water. 

 On the old stumps rosettes of leaves will form, which in time may be 

 taken off and potted. 



CRASSULA (Rochea). The principal member of this small 

 genus of plants, C. falcata, is indigenous to the Cape of Good Hope. 

 The foliage is rather peculiar in that the leaves are thick, blunt and 



