cactus - 3 - 



special/catalogue from Copenhagen; in France and England there probably must be 

 even more significant gardeners in this direction, whom I do not know. When one 

 looks at such cactus plantings or such in University gardens, one is frightened 

 at the paltry, poor culture in sraall pots; yes, if our pupils did not have such 

 a tough life, then raany of the treasures, gathered at the risk of their lives, 

 would again have been lost to old Europe. I have nothing to do with all of this 

 but endeavor through planting of C. into open country or in the open ground of 

 the coldframe (lemon-house) to find the most beautiful healthy , if possible hardy 

 varieties and to lay thera in for the German fatherland. And so my 0£. Raff in has 

 really opened a new aura. It came into general commerce only in 1868 and still 

 today is planted generally in masses as the Cactus most durable in the open. I 

 cut the attached print out of one of the catalogues; in some years I have sent 

 3-4 baskets 1-1/2 hundredweight to gardeners. About 5 years ago viridiflorus 

 and phoniccus first appeared, which since then I have magnificently in the open, 

 but I cannot get hold of any more of these because almost no one has any and they 

 multiply slowly. 0£. Missour iensis , humilis and brachyarthra (?)are barely 

 starting, following 0£. Raf finesquii , to be planted in the open; 0£. arborea 

 and camanchica is recommended by a north German gardener subce 1-1/2 years as 

 enduring well for him for 3 years and charges 2-1/2 Marks each; your 0£. Engelmanni 

 is recommended by someone also in the North as reliably winter-hardy and etc. etc. 

 So it dawns upon people but because of all the trees they do not see the forest; 

 but also my activity to try dozens of varieties is only 1 or 2 years old, however, 

 10 years ago I had only 1 hardy variety, k years ago 5, and 2 years ago about 12, 

 so now I stand before approx. kO varieties, of which I can here regard approx. 30, 

 with the designated safeguard measures, as hardy. Just the striving to try more 

 varieties gave me the courage to also turn to you and you immediately recommend 

 0£. Davisii , Mammillaria , Missouriensis ( Nuttalli ) 0£. fragilis and Agave virginicus 

 as fairlycertain, ££• vulgaris , E. cespitosus , the magnificent E. texensis; E. 

 Simpsoni and Agave maculosa as probably or possibly; thus I came to my varieties 

 under the excellent guidance (or introduction) of your Cactus Works which I always 

 studv again and again and compare, if my Qpuntia -leaves also get the size of your 

 illustrations and their thorns; namely in regard to the last, I have already 

 accomplished much through grafting and strong fertilizing. It is very unfortunate 

 that you have no gardeners there who concern themselves with the cacti which are 

 hardy in middle Europe; 0£. Davisii , the immense northern one, is not listed in 

 any catalogue, just as little to find Mam. Nuttali . I would be very happy if I 

 cpuld obtain these and the Agave virginiana and maculosa from your country. 



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