Anonymous
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 188
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 edition. Excerpt: ...four to seven slight ridges or angles, which bear numerous small tufts of wool and short spines. The flowers appear on the sides of the stems, principally the younger shorter ones. The first sign is a little wooly tuft, and you will be unable to know for a few days whether it will be a flower or a branch, but keep in the sun, and if a flower the stem will increase to about six inches in length; watch then for its opening about 8 p.m., to close again forever at daylight. A flower a foot in diameter, bright yellow inside, reddish-brown outside, filled with so many yellow stamens they can scarcely be counted, and exhaling the most delicious perfume, is an object worth striving for and a sight never to be forgotten. People rush in crowds and go almost wild over this grandest of all flowers. The plant is readily propagated by slips of the young growth as described for " Phyllocactus," page 4, May number, and are frequently used as stock to graft other cacti on, but the truth must be told, old plants of this variety are rare, and flowers very much rarer. Those who have a conservatory are more likely to succeed, as by training the stems along the rafters they get the necessary sunlight and heat, and by encouraging them with manure water once a week in summer, their growth is rapid. In winter they should have full sunlight and be kept cooler and dryer, but must not be allowed to dry out entirely. Now, as slips and cuttings are cheap and easily started, every one should try them. Supply these requirements as near as you can, and if you only get one flower you will be amply repaid. This class is not all night bloomers. "Coccineus " is a profuse bloomer, flowers six inches in diameter, of intense scarlet lasting several days. The...