VENTUKA-BY-THE-SEA, CALIFOKNIA. 63 



PERESKIA, 

 Aculeata. The Barbadoes Gooseberry or Bald Apple. A cactus with leaves like an 

 orange tree,excellent and mostly used for grafting, and also for growing on raft- 

 ers in a greenhouse. Planted direct in the ground it will make prodigious growth 

 in a season. When it attains height and strength many different kinds of cacti 

 can be grafted on it. and curious effects produced. Strong cuttings for grafting 

 10 cts., 60 cts. per doz. 



CACTUS SEED. 

 I offer some very choice cactus seed which can be easily grown by any one havin S 

 patience and enthusiasm ; the seeds germinate readily and are interesting' in all stages. 

 They should be planted in boxes filled with sand, and kept covered with glass un- 

 til plants are w T ell established ; they should never be allowed to become dry, nor ever 

 be overwatered. 

 Very Choice Hybridized Seed of cereus and phyllos mixed. Small pkt. 35 cts. 2 



pkts. 50 cts. 

 Cereus Triangularis. 15 cts. 

 Colubrinus. 15 cts. 

 Mamillarias. Choice mixed, 15 cts. 

 Echinocereus. Choice mixed, 15 cts. 

 Echinocactus. Choice mixed, 15 cts. 

 Epiphyllum. Choice mixed, 25 cts. 

 Phyllocactus, Hybridized, 50 cts. 

 Cereus Colubrinus, Hybridized, 25 cts. 

 Cereus Tortuosus. 20 cts. 

 Very Choice Mixed. All sorts, 15 cts. 

 All of the above varieties for $1.75. 

 Echinocactus Polyacistus. A new variety with beautiful spines uf a lovely pinkish 

 purple. Very rare. 25 seeds, 25 cts.; 10 seeds, 15 cts. 



CACTI from SEED.— It is a delight to watch their growth from the time that the 

 seed sprouts, until it develops into a spiney ball or column, and sends out its satiny 

 blossoms. Cactus seeds are all sizes ; from the size of a small pea to a grain of mus- 

 tard seed. They should be planted in pots, half filled with potsherds or gravel, with 

 a couple of inches of sand. The seeds should be planted on top of the sand, and well 

 watered and kept covered with glass. They generally sprout within ten days or a 

 month. It is surprising to see the size of a plant that has come from a very small 

 seed. They are beautiful little things ; the most delicate colors, pale green, soft pink 

 or pale yellow, and pure white: round or oval, dotted over the surface of the ground, 

 resembling gems. 



Giant Night=Blooming Cereus. 



(TRIANGULARIS.) 

 One of the curiosities of Southern California is the monster Cactus Cereus Tri- 

 angularis, which clambers over the corner and on to the roof of our home in Ven- 

 tura. The first few years of its growth, it was content to wander over the ground 

 around the house, but about ten years ago it became ambitious and began its jour- 

 ney skyward; it starts from the ground with three stems, the largest of which 

 measures six inches in circumference; they branch 2 and 3 feet from the ground, soon 

 after which the branches become so numerous and interlaced, that it is impossible to 

 count or follow them. They are very large and heavy and triangular in shape, 

 measuring eight inches diameter; the plant has had its own way from the beginning 

 and is a perfect exemplification of the old adage, " Given an inch and take an ell," 

 for it has almost entirely taken the L of the house, and bids fair, if not disturbed, to 

 take possession of the main building as well. The great branches flatten themselves 

 against the wood, sending out as they go innumerable yellow adventitious roots 

 sometimes nine feet long, oftentimes forming a network like lace; by these, it clings 

 to the wood until the branches are hardened, at which time it becomes independent ; 

 then the roots loosen, turn grey and hang like long strings. Some of these roots 

 have of late grown through the woodwork and plaster, and found their way into 

 the upper rooms. The branches are massed around the verandas, under the cornice 

 and on the peak of the roof, where they stand up from the other side of the house 

 like a pair of large deer horns. In the branches are initials, cut by the children of the 

 family several years ago, which are still plainly visible; for years innumerable fami- 

 lies of linnets have seen the light of day and have gone on their way rejoicing, from 

 the great cactus ; occasionally their peace has been disturbed by an adventurous 

 cat, that has scaled the labyrinth of branches in search of a dainty tit-bit. 



Abowt the first of July, the large buds make their appearance, and the magnificent 

 flowers come into bloom soon after; they begin opening at five in the evening and 



