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 ac¬ 
tual experiment in most of the more northern states, including Minnesota, Michi¬ 
gan, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, etc. They have been, grown at 
Kew Gardens, England, for quite a number of years, without protection, and with 
most gratifying results. This change, from an arid climate to one of excessive 
moisture, makes a remarkable test of their adaptability and hardiness. 
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 colorings are not ex¬ 
ceeded 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 it not necessary, however, to have, 
such a forbidding spot in order to grow them as they will succeed almost any¬ 
where 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 Artemisias 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 31)0 of The Rural New Yorker of .Tune ], 
1001, furnishes valuable indorsement from the distinguished editor of that, publi- 
cation, Dr. Walter Van Fleet: 
“Many odd species of cacti are native to the arid slopes of the Rocky Moun¬ 
tains, and a dozen or more occur at considerable elevations, where, the winter 
temperature often descends to 20 degrees below zero. D. M. Andrews, of Boqlder,. 
Colo., who publises 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 forbiddingly sterile slope; 
part of an old sandstone quarry, where the gravelly soil is too poor to grow 
Pontentillas or “five-fingers.” There were five species of Opuntia, all of which are 
represented in the picture, Fig. 159. They soon started into growth and pro- 
