CACTUS GARDEN S 
73 
THE CACTUS GARDEN 
The Cactus family contains plants of many distinctive and striking forms, 
some being most singular and grotesque. The flowers of many are of gor- 
geous coloring, and there are others of dainty beauty. Again, there are 
varieties producing gaily colored seed -pods or fruits, some of which adorn 
the plants for months. 
Many Cacti have hand- 
some spines, some be- 
ing as white as snow, 
others rosy, orange, etc. ; 
the combined coloring of 
these in a collection of 
varieties glistens in the 
sunlight, producing the 
tints of the rainbow. Very 
unique and attractive ef- 
fects may be attained in 
the summer garden with 
various types of Cacti. 
A collection grouped with 
Agaves, Aloes, Euphorbias 
and other succulents, and 
associated with Palms, 
Yuccas and Ornamental 
Grasses, forms an inter- 
esting subtropical garden, 
as may be imagined from 
the central engraving. 
Other ways of utilizing 
these curious plants to ad- 
vantage is in a rockery, 
where a group may be very^ 
picturesque. Fine bedding 
effects can also be pro- 
duced with a sufficient 
quantity of suitable kinds 
of Cacti, which are procurable at prices comparing favorably with those of 
bedding plants. Owing to the small size and diversified coloring of appro- 
priate bedding Cacti, very intricate and delicate designs may be produced. 
The tall columnar-growing Cereus giganteus, shown in the illustration, is a 
splendid plant for a decorative specimen, either in the garden or kept in a 
large tub on the piazza or terrace. A bed composed entirely of the Opuntia 
varieties (Prickly Pear or Indian Fig type) produces a very bold effect; they 
bloom freely all summer, the glistening orange and yellow blossoms being 
strikingly showy. 
Although Cacti are typically American plants, they are seldom used 
in our northern states, 
particularly in decorative 
gardening, for the reason, 
no doubt, of the preva- 
lent idea that they are 
expensive and of difficult 
culture. Such impres- 
sions, however, deserve to 
be considerably modified, 
as the culture of the 
Cactus family is very 
simple, the only thing to: 
guard against being stag- 
nant moisture. An open 
sunny situation should be 
given them, and the soil 
should be of porous, 
sandy texture. If the 
garden soil is heavy, pre-^ 
pare the bed by mixing 
in plenty of ' sand, an4 
underneath have a layer 
of coarse stone or brick 
rubbish to provide effi- 
cient drainage. If the 
plants are to remain in 
their pots (the latter be- 
ing plunged in the bed), 
then a sufficient quantity 
of ashes and cinders or 
coarse gravel must be 
placed underneath to insure perfect drainage. By taking these precautions, 
the plants may be safely supplied with an abundance of water throughout 
the summer, thus insuring luxuriance during this, their growing and flow- 
ering period. During the winter the plants must be stored in a green- 
house or light room or cellar, and be kept comparatively dormant, cool 
and dry for best summer results. 
