VENTURA-BY-THE-SEKA, CALIFORNIA. 85 
Stella Aurata. “Golden Star.’’ A most beautifal variety that 
grows stems 2 to 4inches high and a half inch in diameter, branching 
freely and covered with spreading star-like, soft yellow spines tipped with 
reddish-brown. Small white flowers. 25c to 50 each. 
Minima. Resembling the above, but of more dwarf habit and with 
smaller stems, which are covered with cream colored star-like spines; it 
also bears white flowers. 10c to 25c each. 
Elegans. One of the most beautiful varieties, like a soft white ball. 
Smallcrimson flowers. 25c each. 
OPUNTIA Microdasys. ‘The prettiest of all Opuntias with hand- 
some, pear-shaped leaves, of a fine green, dotted with tufts of small 
golden spines that resemble tufts of velvet. The contrast is very beauti- 
ful. 10c, 25c, 50c and 75c each; cuttiugs, 15c to 25c each. 
Monacantha Variegata. A beautiful plant, the pear-shaped leaves 
of which are beautifully variegated white and green; young growth pink. 
20c, 50c and 75c each. Six other choice varieties, cuttings, 10c to 25c each. 
Phyllocactus. 
The most gorgeous and satisfactory of all the cactus family. A large 
plant will frequently carry fifty toa hundred buds and blossoms. ‘The 
leaves are flat or triangular in shape, of various shades of green, some- 
times shaded with dark red. ‘The plants attain a height of 4 to 5 feet, and 
from every eye of their severely plain and unattractive leaves come forth 
suddenly and mysteriously small buds, which develop into large flowers 5 
to 8 inches across; often these flowers almost overlap each other, and they 
are of such wonderful brilliancy as to fairly dazzle the eyes. Some are 
clear scarlet and cup shaped; others are deep crimson, with throats of me- 
tallic purple and long silken stamens; either pink or white; sometimes the 
pollen is pink, on others white. Then there are pale yellow, pink, and 
cream-colored flowers, exquisitely lovely in form and color. The Phyllos 
begin to bloom in February, and come on during the spring and summer 
months, the time of blooming depending upon the varieties. The secret 
of having blooming plants is to take cuttings from wood that has bloomed; 
it will then flower at the proper time the next season. 
Phyllocactus “Mainwaring’s Red.’’ A stately, strong, vigorous 
grower, that makes an imposing plant,and produces very large; dark red, 
heavy flowers. 25c to 50c each. 
Mrs. Bouman. Makesa fine large plant; with graceful slender 
stems. It is a most profuse bloomer, bearing many open flowers at once; 
which are of medium size, colored soft velvety-scarlet, and of great bril- 
liancy. 25c, 50c to $1.00 each; cuttings, 10c. 
Metallica. Strong stocky grower. Flowers are red, tinted with 
purple; antlers and pistils very long and heavy. 25c, 50c to $1.00 each; 
cuttings, 10c. 
