SHINER CACTUS NURSERY 
35 
The handsome young plant couple en¬ 
joying their location on the overstuffed 
(rock) couch, under the parlor lamp are 
Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man) and Neo- 
mammillaria hahniana (Old Lady). He has 
a nice rock cushion while she has Neomam- 
millaria plumosa (feather cactus). 
Pieces of brick may be made into miniature 
primitive dwellings by adding a little thatched 
roof of woven course grass and painting in 
doors and windows. 
A large size “Miniature Mexico” with mountain cemented 
across the back. Lower ones cemented in at various angles at 
its base make planting sections at different levels, adding 
variety and interest. Planting here illustrated contained many 
rare species and sold for $10. 
Simplest planting using the saucer to 
a big pot, some odd rocks, plants and 
figures. 
How perfect a picturesque planting of 
cactus and succulents for the shut-in or 
convalescent! No other planting can 
arouse more of the patient’s interest and 
at the same time require so little care. 
This bowl is 12 inches across, of excellent 
depth, Mexican brown ware, glazed on the inside, 
cost about 50 cents. Carefully packed for ship¬ 
ping, weight about 5 lbs. 
SUGGESTIONS FOR PLANTING “MINIATURE MEXICO”. 
Bowls used are from 8 to 20 ins. in diameter. They do not have 
drainage so each has 1 to IV 2 inches of clean washed pebbles in the 
bottom. Now is the time to cement in thin slabs of rocks as miniature 
“mountains”. (Use half fresh cement and the other half a mixture 
of course sand and small pebbles. ) Stand the rocks in connecting 
lines so that they will be cemented one to another and to the bowl, for 
strength. 
Let cement set a day and fill spaces to level of bowl with ideal 
cactus soil mixture. This soil will work down among the pebbles but 
so will the plant roots, the same way they do in Nature. Moisten soil 
sufficiently to hold plants in their places. Locate taller ones toward 
center, smaller ones grouped under them. This also carries out the 
idea of the way cacti grow naturally, as they are almost always 
found growing under trees, bushes, protecting ledges. 
When all the little plants are in place, sprinkle soil thickly with 
clean washed pebbles. This gives a finished appearance of desert 
atmosphere and helps keep plants in place. Water sparingly until 
plants give evidence of having re-rooted, not oftener than once a week 
or every 10 days. After they have re-rooted water whenever soil 
is dry for an inch down from the surface. 
Give morning sunshine after they have re-rooted, fresh air and 
rain water whenever possible. 
