032 
JOURNAL  UN  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  23,  190^. 
Notes  on  Cacti. 
The  largest  commercial  grovrois  of  Cacti  and  succulent  plants 
are  M  essrs.  Henry  Cannell  and  Sons,  of  Swanley.  Their  display 
at  tlie  Teinple  Show  afforded  the  King  and  Queen,  and  many 
other  vi.sitors,  much  amusement  and  delight,  for  verily  the 
strangQ  forms  and  mathematically  constructed  features  are  an 
everlasting  wonder  to  those  with  minds  to  regard  them.  The 
complete  list  of  species  and  varieties  staged  hy  the  firm  at  the 
Temple  are  given  here,  and  we  have  extracted  some  interesting 
general  notes  frojn  Messrs.  Cannell’s  “  Catalogue  of  Cacti  and 
Succulent  Plants.” 
List  of  Caeti. 
Cekeus  colubrinus,  Baitmanni,  Spegazinni,  peruvianus  monstro- 
sus,  Jamacaru,  spachiani^s,  candicans,  sargentianus,  chilensis, 
geometrizans.  Bridges!,  macrogonus,  gemmatus,  eruca,  Pringlei, 
acidus,  labouretianus,  niger,  Brandegei,  marginatus,  pruinosus, 
flagelliformis  cristata,  and  penrvianus  monstrosus  minor. 
Mamielaria  Newmanni,  Donati,  nivea,  Nicholsoni,  nivea  cristata, 
elegans,  Gabbi,  Williamsi,  rhodantha,  caput  medusa?,  lasiacantha 
plumosa,  longimamma,  potosina,  inacromeris,  tentaculata,  formosa, 
VV'^ildiana,  Beneckei,  sphajrica,  rufocrocea,  Schelhasei,  Parkinsoni, 
gracilis,  pulchella,  Pteifl'eri,  sulphurea,  dolichocentra,  cirrhifera 
longispina,  angularis,  Perringi,  pusilla,  gracilis,  and  bocasana. 
Euphorbia  natalensis,  canariensis,  grandicornis,  Hermentiana, 
grandidens,  echinus,  and  meloformis. 
Opuntia  frutescens,  lurida,  leucotricha,  Engelmanni  monstrosa, 
tomeatosa,  mendociensis,  inonocantha  variegata,  microdasys,  micro- 
dasys  minima,  basilaris,  tunicata,  Bigelowii,  senilis,  Piccolominiana, 
and  papyracantha. 
Echinocactus  ingens,  Curtisi,  Enioryi,  pilosus,  Grusoni,  horizon- 
talonius,  Wislezeni,  viridescens,  rubidus  superbissimus,  Peninsulse, 
saglionis,  electracanthus,  lophothele,  Ottonis,  myriostigma,  bicoloi’, 
recurvens,  Junori,  ourselianus,  curvispinus,  robustus,  longihamatus, 
and  ornatus. 
PiLOCEKEUs  Houletti,  Dautwitzi,  senilis,  and  Bruennowi. 
Echinocereus  dasycanthus,  cespitosus,  polycantha,  Pereskia,  and 
subulata. 
Echinopsis  Eyriesi,  multiplex  cristata.  Agave  Victoria  Regina; 
Aloe  plicatilis,  and  A.  longiaristata. 
Cotyledon  orbiculare  and  C.  edulis.  Sempervivum  tabulseforme 
and  S.  Laggeri.  Sedum  Sieboldi.  Echeveria  farinosa,  Hoveyi, 
Funki,  and  metallica  crispa.  Anhalonium  Lewini  and  A.  fissuratum. 
Mesembryanthemum  Bolusi. 
General  Notes. 
“  The  berries  of  some  varieties  of  Cacti  are  used  in  medicine 
as  remedies  for  bilious  and  other  complaints,  and  carmine  colour¬ 
ing  matter  is  extracted  from  the  cochineal  insect,'  which  subsists 
upon  the  Kopalia  or  Opuntia  cochinellifera.  The  Saguarro  or 
Cereus  giganteus  is  the  largest  known  species,  often  in  its 
habitat  (Mexico)  attaining  a  height  of  80  feet  and  more,  whilst 
tlie  smallest  .s^iecimens  of  the  entire  family  are  found  in  the 
genus  Mamillaria.  As  a  help  to  those  undertaking  the  culture 
of  Cacti  in  this  country,  to  enable  them  to  fully  grasp  the 
natural  requirements,  of  the  different  genera,  it  will  be  as.  well 
for  them  to  know  that  the  species  of  the  genera  Epiphyllum, 
Phyllocactus,  and  Bhipsalis  are  wholly  or  mostly  epiphytal — 
that  is,  they  grow  naturally  upon  the  trunks  and  .stems  of 
various  tropical  trees,  mostly  deiiending  for  their  food  upon  the 
humid  atmosphere  which  pervades  the  districts  in  wdiich  they 
are  found.  The  fruits  of  many  varieties  are  edible.  The  buds 
of  such  varieties  as  Cereus  splendens,  C.  triangularis  (the  Straw¬ 
berry  Pear),  Pereskia  aculeata  (the  Barbadoes  Gooseberry), 
Opuntia  tuna  (the  Prickly  Pear),  and  O.  ficus  indica  (the  Indian 
Fig)  are  either  eaten  in  their  raw  .state  or  converted  into  or 
mixed  with  jellies,  soups,  Ac. 
“From  the  different  genera  of  Cacti  we  pass  to  that  class  of 
allied  plants — viz.,  the  succulents.  These  plants  are  quite'  as 
interesting,  and  as,  or  more,  diversified  in  form  as  Cacti — in 
tact,  with  the  uninitiated  the  whole  class  is  one.  Generally 
'^peaking,  when  Ave  hear  a  person  descant  upon  the  aspect  of  his 
Cactus,  ceitain  doubts  arise  in  our  mind  as  to  Avhether  the  plant 
in  que.stion  is  a  Cactus  or  not.  In  most  eases  it  is  not.  The  idea 
■eems  to  be  firmly  imprinted  upon  the  mind  of  the  amateur 
that  any  plant  approaching  to  oddity  of  form  and  iieculiar  habit 
must  of  necessity  be  a  Cactaceous  plant.  Consequently  they 
administer  that  starving  treatment  to  them,  in  conjunction  with 
true  Cacti,  the  bad  appearance  of  which,  consequent  upon  such 
unnatural  treatment,  they  soon  begin  to  assume.  The  human 
eyes  tire  of  such  ordinary  jilants  as  are  commonly  met  with  both 
in  our  stoAms  and  greenhouses  and  in  outdoor  gardening,  and 
gratefully  appreciates  anything  appertaining  to  the  rare.  Such 
pi;ints  as  these  are  the  subjects  of  our  present  remarks,  and 
”’ost  striking  effects  can  be  arrived  at  in  the  garden  beds  by  the 
jiidioiou.s  intermingling  or  dotting  about  of  a  fcAV' choice  succu- 
l<'nt.s.  Dotted  here  and  there,  on  inverted  pots  or  otherAvise, 
in  the  stove  or  greenhouse,  they  form  centres  of  attraction,  and 
by  draAving  personal  attention  to  themselves,  help  by  contrast 
to  illuminate  the  splendour  of  their  floral  neighbours.  For 
planting  in  AvindoAv  boxes,  as  specimens  in  vases  or  tubs,  as 
centres  or  edgings  to  beds  upon  the  laAvn,  dotted  in  and  out 
amongst  rockAAork,  or  to  form  lines  — or,  in  fact,  any  floral 
design  in  carpet  bedding — they  are  invaluable. 
”  An  interesting  feature  of  the  cultivation  of  succulent  plants 
is  their  freely-disposed  habit  of  propagation.  As  AA'ith  many 
species  of  the  globular  Cacti,  Avhich  obstinately  refuse  to  pro¬ 
duce  offsets,  propagation  may  be  readily  effected  by  cutting  out 
the  centre  of  the  iilant,  or  by  caiefully  detaching  a  ripened  leaf 
from  either  the  plant  or  floAver  stem,  A\hich  AAill  strike  Avith  cer¬ 
tainty  if  laid  upon  silver  sand,  the  leaf  base  gradually  SAAelling 
until  the  small  plant  appears.  Has  the  reader  ever  tried  this 
interesting  experiment  Avith  leaves  of  Begonias,  Chrysanthe¬ 
mums,  or  Coleus  r'  That  curious  plant  Bryophylium  calicinum 
posses.ses  perhaps  the  greatest  peculiarity  in  this  manner  of 
propagation,  the  young  plants  being  produced  all  round  the 
parent  leaf.  The  quaint  plant  kuoAAii  as  Mesembryanthemum 
tigrinum  is  frequently  mistaken  for  a  Cactus.  It  is  an  interest¬ 
ing  plant,  much  resembling  a  bunch  of  tiger’s  claAis.  The  habit 
and  general  appearance  of  this  curious  plant  is  very  different 
to  that  of  the  rest  of  the  genus.  They  are  generally  natives  of 
South  Africa.  Various  salts  are  obtained  from  the  leaves  of  the 
plants  constituting  this  genus.  The  fruits  of  the  Mesenibryan- 
rhemum  edule  (the  Hottentot  Fig-Marigold)  are  eaten  Avith 
gusto  by  the  Hottentots,  but  to  our  palates  they  appear 
maAA'kish,  as  do  the  fruits  of  Cacti.  A  regular  trade  is  carried 
on  by  the  natives  in  the  tropics  Avhere  the  so-called  Ice-plant, 
iMesembryanthemum  crystallinum,  abounds  in  the  .soda  Avhicli 
tliej"  obtain  from  the  burnt  ashes  of  nie  plant.  Several  varieties 
of  the  Sedums  are  edible,  and  are  looked  upon  in  the  light  of 
luxuries  by  the  natives  Avho  are  lucky  enough  to  find  them. 
“  Another  curious  succulent  is  the  one  knoAvn  as  Sempervivum 
arachnoideum.  .  A  Avell-groAvn  specimen  of  this  plant  is  ahvays 
attractive  by  reason  of  the  peculiar  closely- Avoven  Aveb  Avith 
Avhich  the  rosettes  are  covered.  The  juice  extracted  from  the 
leaves  of  maiij'  of  the  Sempervivums  (House-Leek)  is  very  effi¬ 
cacious  in  various  skin  disorders.  It  has  the  tendency  to  allay 
itching,  and  it  is  also  used  by  travellers  and  natives  alike  as  a 
dressing  for  Avounds.  No  collection  is  complete  Avithout  a  speci¬ 
men  of  Stapelia.  These  plants  are  quaint  alike  in  stem  and 
floAA’er,  and  are  good  subjects  for  planting  in  hanging  baskets 
in  the  stoves  or  greenhouse.  The  ffoAver  produced  by  a  Stapelia 
K  A^eritably  a  curiosity  amongst  curios.  It  is  most  strangely 
marked  Avith  various  colours,  in  some  varieties  measures  as  much 
as  seA'en  or  eight  inches  in  diameter,  and  in  many  instances 
ekhales  a  most  foetid  odour,  Avhich  has  earned  for  it  the  name  of 
tile  Carrion  floAver. 
\  “A  most  Avelcome  sight  is  some  nicely-groAvn  bushy  sjiecimens 
of  Rochea  falcata,  a  choice  Avinter-floAvering  plant.  This  species  of 
almost  as  deliciously  scented  as  a  Tuberose.  Another  good 
Avinter-floAvering  plant  is  Crassula  iactea — a  good  healthy  plant 
in  a  5-in  pot  sJiould  carry  eight  or  nine  trusses  of  bloom.  We 
must  not  omit  a  AAord  in  favour  of  the  Echeveria,  Avliich  in  its 
•varieties  metallica,  or  Funcki  makes  handsome  specimens  for 
greenhouse  or  conservatory  decoration.  Of  the  Echeverias  alone 
there  are  more  than  tAventy  A'arieties  knoAvn.  The  cut  blooms 
from  some  varieties — globosa,  (secunda,  and  secunda  glauca — 
are  very  much  admired  when  used  in  conjunction  Avitli  others 
for  table  decoration.  Thus, At  Avill  be  seen  there  are  many 
varieties  of  succulent  plants  to  select  from  to  floAver  at  ail 
periods  of  the  year,  and  to  please  the  most  critical  eye  and 
fastidious  taste".  "We  Avill  conclude  by  Avishing  the  reader  all 
success  in  his  experiments  Avitli  these  curiosities  of  Nature.  ' 
-  - - - - - - 
Fruit  Prospects  in  the  V^le  of  Evesham. 
The  prospects  for  the  fruit  harvest  in  the  Yale  of  Evesham 
are  far  lesj;  promising  than  they  Avere  a  feAv  Aveeks  ago.  ’I'he 
blossom  AA'as  the  best  seen  for  many  years,  but  the  fruit  has  not 
set  Avellj/and  has  be-en  falling  rapidly.  This  is  attributed  to  the 
cold  Avifrds  and  chilly  nights,  AvhicJi  have  checked  the  flo'iv  oi 
the  .sap.  Plums  all  round  cannot  be  more  than  half  a  crop,  and 
in  some  quarters  the  better  sorts  are  almost  a  failure.  Prolifics 
Avill  be  very  short,  and  Victorias  cannot  be  half  a  crop.  Dam¬ 
sons,  too,-  have  failed.  PeiAshores  have  AA'ithstood  the  strain 
better  tliarr  other  sorts,  and  should  yield  fairly  ivell.  Aphis 
blight  is  prevalent  and  causing  trouble,  Avhile  the  borer  has 
been  found  extensively  in  some  orchards.  Spraying  with 
arsenical  .solution  has  been  found  efficacious  for  this  pest.  The 
gall  mite  has  attacked  Black  Currants  Avith  disastrous  results, 
and  Red  Currants  Avill  also  be  short.  Apples  are  falling  very 
rapidly,  and  Pears  Avill  be  almost  a  total  failure.  The  only 
crops  Avhich  promise  Avell  are  Gooseberries  and  StraAvberries, 
Avhich  Avere  never  so  prosperous.  Gooseberries  have  been  selling 
fairly  aaoU  considering  the  immensity  of  the  crop,  and  StraAv- 
beriies  are  noAv  coming  into  the  market.  With  a  feAv  bright 
Avarm  days  the  markets  Avill  soon  be  Avell  stocked.  Cheriies  ai'o 
again  a  partial  failure  after  a  most  prolific  blossom. 
