EPIPHYLLUM T1U7NCATUM VIOLACEUM. 
5 
ture, both for growing and the production of flowers, than when 
grafted on some other species of Cactse, which we shall presently 
mention. The only position in which we can conceive the Peres- 
kia most suitable as a stock for this plant, is when the latter is 
required to ornament the rafters, or roof of a stove, or to twine 
and cover a pillar, here the flexuose stems of the former give it 
the advantage, and by its means the Epiphyllum may be made to 
put forth its splendid blossoms from any position. 
The standard we prefer, is that offered either by the stronger 
species of Opuntia, or the erect Cereuses; we have seen magnifi¬ 
cent specimens formed in a few years by inserting numerous 
pieces of the Epiphyllum on a tall stem of Cereus speciosissimus, 
a method we think preferable to the use of a single scion on the 
summit, as the effect is obtained in so much less time ; indeed it 
is quite possible to form a large plant almost at once, as pieces con¬ 
taining three or four years’ growth will unite, with a little care, as 
readily as the single joint of the preceding year’s production. 
Grafted on either the Cereus just named, or Opuntia ficus indica, 
the common Indian fig, the Epiphyllum seems to gain much of 
the robust constitution of its bearer, for it will then grow and 
flower in a warm greenhouse, w r hereas upon the stock before men¬ 
tioned, it insists on the high temperature of a stove ere it will 
manifest either a healthy appearance, or the least symptom of 
blooming. 
The routine culture of this plant is of the simplest descrip¬ 
tion ; it delights in a rich soil composed of loam, leaf mould, and 
reduced manure, mixed up with which should be numerous pieces 
of small potsherds, and a quantity of them placed beneath the 
soil at the bottom of the pot, that an effective passage for super¬ 
fluous water may be secured : as the roots of all cactaceous plants 
are very impatient of excessive moisture. It will require to have 
the soil renewed once in a year, and to be liberally watered dur¬ 
ing the summer and while growing, with a reduction of the quan¬ 
tity until the blooming season is past. Observing to keep it 
continually either in the stove or the greenhouse, according to 
the description of standard it may be upon; unless indeed the 
temperature of the greenhouse in winter is kept very low to suit 
other plants, when it may be necessary to remove it to a warmer 
atmosphere to assist in the development of its flowers. 
