52 



CACTUS. 



than almost any other plant, and they are therefore 



a general favorite for the house, flourishing in the 

 dry atmosphere of our dwellings under a neglect 

 fatal to other vegetation, from having the capacity 

 of storing up supplies of water for their sustenance 

 through long periods of drouth. 



The varieties most commonly cultivated belong 

 to the families Cerens and Epiphyllum. The former 

 are mostly tall-growing, and as the latter are droop- 

 ing in their habit they are often grafted on their 

 tall-growing relations to render them more showy. 

 Cereus Speciosissimus makes the best stock to graft 

 on. 



SOIL, WATERING AND GENERAL TREATMENT. 



Cactus thrive in a soil of two-thirds sandy loam 

 to which add well rotted manure and lime rubbish 

 or old plaster from walls. 



Water sparingly while in growth. Some florists 

 say, withhold water while they are not growing, 

 but it is doubtless better to give them a little once 

 a week if the atmospher r . is dry and hot. They 

 should have good drainage. Stagnant water at the 

 roots causes them to decay rapidly. 



They will live in almost any temperature, but do 

 best in winter at from 40 to 45 °, if they have 

 plenty of light and are kept dry. 



They are increased by cuttings which root readily 

 if dried a little before planting. 



