H. CANNELL & SONS’ LIST OF CACTI. 
5 
HARDY cacti. 
In popular opinion the Cactus family is inseparably associated with tropical conditions; 
the best known exception being that of the common prickly pear, Opuntia vulgaris, which is a 
native of the eastern States, and is reliably hardy as far north as Massachusetts. Some far 
more noteworthy exceptions, however, occur along the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, 
and upon the plains in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and Dakota. It is from this region then 
that we have brought together, after no small amount of research and exploration, the collection 
offered below. The hardiness of every one has been demonstrated by actual experiments in most 
of the more Northern States, including; Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Massa- 
chusetts, etc. This change, from an arid climate to one of excessive moisture, makes a remark- 
able test of their adaptability and hardihood. 
That which is unique or curious, or even grotesque, appeals in a certain way to the majority 
of people. These plants present a delightful mingling of curious and fantastic forms, with 
flowers whose beauty and splendid colourings are not exceeded by any in our gardens. The 
fact that they will live and thrive in places .so bleak, or so rocky and sterile, that nothing else 
can be induced to grow will place them in the class of indispensables. It is not necessary, 
however, to have such a forbidding spot in order to grow them, as they will succeed almost 
anywhere with plenty of sunshine and good drainage. The sunny side of a wall or the rockery 
will do ; or broken stones may be placed anywhere to form a slightly raised bed, with enough 
light soil scattered over to partly fill the crevices. Then the plants may be set in any desired 
arrangement and allowed to have their way without any attention whatever in the matter of 
cultivation, except to remove weeds. The Yucca Angustifolia, and the various Artemesias may 
be used in the same bed to add variety and naturalness to the arrangement. If a sandy place, 
or a well-drained slope, be available no preparation will be needed. 
The following clipping from page 390 of The Rural New Yorker of June ist, 1901, furnishes 
valuable indorsement from the distinguished editor of that publication. Dr. Walter Van Fleet : — 
“ Many odd species of Cacti are native to the arid slopes of the Rocky Mountains, and a 
dozen or more occur at considerable elevations, where the winter temperature often descends to 
20 degrees below zero. D. M. Andrews, of Boulder, Colo., who publishes a most interesting 
catalogue of desirable native plants, sent the Rural Grounds a collection of seven species of 
hardy mountain Cacti in April, 1900. They were planted, according to his advice, on a for- 
biddingly sterile slope, part of an old sandstone quarry, where the gravelly soil is too poor to 
grow I’otentillas, or “ five-fingers.” There were five species of Opuntia. 
They soon started into growth and produced many large brilliant yellow blooms during the 
summer, followed by showy crimson and purple fruits. They have endured the past trying winter 
with but trifling harm. Two species of hedgehog Cactus, Cactus viviparus and Echinocactus 
Simpsoni, accompanied the Opuntias, and were planted at the same time and place. They 
also endured the winter without harm and are now. May ISth, blooming brightly. C. viviparus 
has large brilliant purple flowers, and those of K. Simpsoni are shell pink. These cacti are 
apparently indifferent to dry cold, but often suffer from stem rot if water settles about them in 
winter. They do best on a dry slope or rockery, where the drainage is perfect at all times, and 
may be made very decorative. 
DESCRIPTION OF VARIETIES OF HARDY CACTI. 
In describing a group of plants having certain strong features in common, as is the case 
with the Cactus family, it is not easy in a mere description to point out by words those 
characters which distinguish one species or variety from all the others. Moreover, the indi- 
viduals vary so much that it is perhaps the exception when one is found agreeing with the type 
in every particular. This is especially true of the Opuntias. We offer the following descrip- 
tion, therefore, believing them to set forth the specific distinctions as clearly as the difficulties 
of the case will allow. 
