May,'] HOT-HOUSE — of succulents, etc. 175 



that would not exclude the light, but merely the powerful 

 rays of the sun, attending to roll it up every evening. Plants 

 will keep in beautiful order by the above method, which 

 amply repays for the trouble or expense. Avoid putting 

 plants under trees ; comparatively few thrive in such situa- 

 tions. 



When they are thus exposed to the open air, it will be 

 very little trouble to give them a gentle syringing every 

 evening when there is no rain, and continue your usual ex- 

 aminations for insects; when they appear, resort to the pre- 

 scribed remedies. Green-fly will not affect them, but the 

 thrips may. Give regular supplies of water every evening, 

 and again in the morning to all that require it^ carefully ex- 

 amining those that are in small pots. 



SUCCULENTS, OR THE CACT^A TRIBE. 



The Cereiis Mammalldriaj and Opuntia. Divisions of 

 this family are, in their indigenous state, exposed on rocks, 

 hilly lands, and arid situations, being at all times fully ex- 

 posed to the sun : still, with us, we find that they thrive 

 best with a partial shade, though we have frequently seen 

 them doing well when fully exposed to the influence of the 

 sun; but where they are to be kept out of doors all the 

 season, be careful in choosing for them an airy situation, and 

 never allow the pots to become saturated with moisture. 



The habits of the Epipliyllum tribe are entirely different; 

 they are generally parasites, growing on the branches and 

 about the roots of decayed trees ; consequently, they are 

 often much shaded, and they evidently show it, for they still 

 delight to be shaded from the direct rays of a noonday sun. 

 If they are kept in the house through the summer months, 

 take some whiting, and make a thin white-wash, and put it 

 on the inside of the glass, which will be found an agreeable 

 and effectual shade ; but where time and means are at hand, 

 a thin awning, of gauze or muslin, is preferable, provided it 

 is regularly rolled up when the sun is not powerful. 



