CACTACEOUS PLANTS. 



75 



also take away the old soil, and renew lightly three or four times 

 in summer, for by the rains, the watering, &c, the soil gets too 

 much pressed, preventing air and heat from getting to the roots, 

 and sun vivification is what they want to the utmost. Always 

 water overhead in the summer time with a very light rose, which 

 •can give no pressure. In winter time, if watering is wanted, 

 then very slightly wet the soil with a very narrow tube or pipe. 

 I never use any liquid manure, but in the rain-water tank I hang 

 a sackful of soot, which gives a nice green and healthy appear- 

 .ance to the plants." M. L. Smet sends very good plants by the 

 Belgian parcel post. 



These opinions on the compost for potting Cacti are of great 

 value, as coming from persons of vast experience and practice, 

 and, although opposed to the usual English treatment, I feel sure 

 that they are correct, as the plants coming from these writers 

 are far better than any of English growth, sometimes even sur- 

 passing those at Kew in respect of freshness, colour, and the bloom 

 of health upon them, both in young plants and those of many 

 years' growth. 



If the earth for potting could be passed through a mill with 

 rollers it would kill many noxious insects, destroying worms, 

 grubs, &c, as many a good plant is lost by some kind of worm 

 eating into the body of it. Whenever a plant feels loose in the 

 earth there is something wrong, and it will be found that the 

 lower part has been eaten away. In such case cut away all 

 the affected part and plant again in fresh soil, throwing away 

 every particle of the old mould. Some persons bake the earth 

 before using it, so as to kill any insect in it. A plant will often 

 be found to be in a bad state when the moisture is not absorbed 

 after watering, and, if the earth keeps damp longer than usual, 

 cease watering and watch such plant. In their native country 

 they have plenty of sunlight, plenty of air, sometimes plenty of 

 water, and under these conditions the plants will thrive ; but 

 with our deficiency of sunshine it is hardly to be wondered at if 

 some do not. 



One advantage of giving plenty of air is that insects do not 

 then breed so freely as when the house is kept too close, insects 

 being a pest that takes away some of the pleasure of growing 

 these plants. Insects are often introduced with plants coming 

 from America ; it is well, therefore, to examine the roots of all 



