84 
BOTANICAL INDEX 
produced tufts of white spines, so closely set as to 
give the whole plant a wooly or hairy appear- 
ance. 
Like all other species of plants, cultivation 
has increased the number of varieties, differing 
a little from the original, one of which has been 
described in The Garden, which we give. 
E PI LOCK REUS SE XI L IS, VAR. LONGI- 
SETUS. 
This very remarkable and interesting plant is, 
I think, rather rare in collections, and is in most 
respects identical with P. senilis, but the great 
difference is, that it produces very long spines; 
the long needle-like spine is upwards of an inch 
long, and the hair-like spines are of a great 
length, especially near the base of the plant, up- 
wards — some of them as much as eight inches in 
length, and are curled and twisted round the 
plant and over the pot, giving it a very venera- 
ble appearance. Even in youth it looks aged, 
and from its slow growth it never occupies much 
room, and is at all times a very attractive and interesting plant, gaining admiration, 
as it often does, from noil-interested individuals, and many remarks from the casual 
observer. — F. S. C. 
There are several varieties of Cactus in cultivation, producing a long, llexible, 
hairy-like spine, strongly resembling Pilocereus Senilis, that make choice specimen 
plants, and are rather commonly found in America, and often labeled P. Senilis, but 
arc, of course, mis-named. It was our misfortune to grow and sell one of the num- 
ber, but we have made an effort to recall all we sold and, probably, have done so. 
We received our original stock from a reliable and trusty dealer, who received it 
from P/earsdorf, and was as badly disapointed as any one can be. 
A NEW FRENCH ROSE FIRM. 
great rage for new and choice plants has induced a large number of 
/Jfl §§> plant lovers to invest in the Nursery business, as a means of profit as well 
1 a; as pleasure. This is particularly the case with the fruit, and flower loving 
j people of France, and as their climate is so admirably adapted to growing 
to perfection many kinds of fruit and flowers, it is a great pleasure to be en- 
^ gaged in such a business. Nearly every one knows how successful they 
are in Pear culture, and now, in Rose culture they seem to almost defy competition 
with the balance of the world. In a private letter received only a short time ago 
from that devout friend of horticulture, Jean Sisley of Lyons, France, he says: 
“One of my sons has taken a fancy to Rose growing; he began last year, and has 
now several thousands for sale, of the best old varieties; and can easily procure 
those he has not himself from his colleagues. The Roses grown here are all budded 
on the seedling brier, and cultivated since last year in the open air, and therefore 
make now strong plants, which can stand a long journey. 1 therefore beg you to 
recommend my son to your friends and acquaintances; they will be well and honest- 
ly served. The old varieties are worth here 50 /. (or five dollars) per hundred for 
the trade; of course new varieties vary in price.” 
We should be pleased to know that our friends in America, who arc in need of 
Roses by the quantity, have corresponded with him on the subject, for no doubt it 
would be to their advantage. Letters may be addressed to Jean Sisley, Rue St. 
Maurice-Monplaisier, Lyons, France, and will be immediately forwarded to their 
destination. It would be needless for us to say to the well informed horticulturists 
in America, that Jean Sisley stands at the head of the long list of eminent horticul- 
turists in France; but as many of our readers may not have had an opportunity of 
learning of the progress made in this department abroad, we will say that M. Sisley 
is an old French horticulturist, 75 years old, and has devoted a large portion of his 
life in his favorite study. Tie originated the first Double Geranium, and has been 
equally successful in all his undertakings. 
