THE CULTIVATION OF GLOBULAR CACTEiE. 
225 
it becomes apparent that art may sometimes assist or even 
improve on nature : so with Cacti, — they are found where the 
smaller deposits are formed, in places seemingly sterile, and 
where they receive but little nourishment from rain, or other 
natural causes; still they exist: but it seems probable enough in 
theory, that if they in the same situation received a more 
abundant supply of aliment, that a corresponding increase in 
the vigour and size of the plant would result; and this, which 
appears probable, the practice of cultivators proves correct. 
In the cultivation of these plants we would retain a portion of 
the old system, so far as keeping them in a dry atmosphere for 
about eight months of the twelve can be called retaining it; 
but the brick rubbish we explode altogether. The soil we use 
for the whole of them is a mixture of peat and loam, in equal 
quantities, with about a third of the whole well-rotted leaf- 
mould and sharp sand mixed ; this requires to be well broken 
and thoroughly incorporated. About the middle of April they 
should be re-potted. This is rather a delicate operation : the 
old earth should be gently shaken from the roots of the plants 
and the new pressed firmly round them, observing to keep the 
base of the plant a little above the rim of the pot; when 
finished, three or four small sticks thrust into the earth close to 
the sides of the plant will keep them erect and steady, until 
they have attained a hold by the new roots. After potting, 
they should be at once conveyed to a previously prepared dung 
bed, having what is technically termed a “sweat heat” of from 
85° to 95° temperature. They require shading from strong 
sunshine for the first fortnight, and to be kept moderately 
moist; we have even gone so far in hot dry weather as to use 
the syringe upon them, though this might be attended with 
some danger in close damp weather. In this situation they 
should remain from three to four months, giving them air in 
rather small quantities every favourable opportunity; at the 
end of this time they will be found to have made a surprising 
growth, and may then be removed back to the succulent house, 
the stove, the greenhouse, or the windows of the sitting rooms, 
and may be expected to produce flowers in the course of the 
following month. The difference occasioned by this treatment 
will be apparent the first season, for from poor little starve¬ 
lings, such as are too frequently seen, they will be transformed 
