Since sending you my photographs of flower beds and mentioning that there was a Cactus bed in the background, I have had several communications asking me to give some hints on Cactus culture through your monthly, as it would be beneficial to many; 50 with this in view I give what I have found to be the most successful method of treating them. Cactuses as a general thing do not.hold a very prominent position in most collections, and why, I can-hardly understand, for there are but few plants that will yield a more gorgeous display of flowers than they do, when well-cultivated. If the plants had nothing more to recommend them than their curious forms they would be worth a place in all collections. I know of no plants easier of cultivation than these are; but whatever species are met with in collections, it is usual to find all subjected to the same treatment as other greenhouse plants. In this way no one need ever expect to be successful. A study of their natural habitats will soon show this. As they come from Mexico, Brazil and Peru, with their dry and wet seasons, unless they have a dry season and a rest but few flowers need be expected.

The best way to treat them is to put them away in some place, where the temperature does not fall below 450, give no water unless they are very much shriveled up. Never mind a little shrivel, that does them good in most cases. Beware of cold damp places, or you will be sure to rot your plants. Those that flower late in the fall or spring, I put outside, taking now and then a casual glance to see that they do not suffer too much, but there is little danger of that.

In potting them special attention must be given to material and drainage. The material I use consists of good loam, old lime rubbish, with a fair share of coarse sand. The lime rubbish must be taken from some old ruin; fresh is not good. Arrange to insure drainage, and above all things do not overpot them. Keep them in as small pots as the roots will admit of. The time to pot is just before you start them to grow; but never change them unless you see they are very much bound in the pot, and when you do so be sure to cut away all dead roots, or they will destroy the soil. The lumps of lime rubbish are more for keeping the soil open and ensuring perfect drainage than for any other thing. When growing, a fair share of water may be given. Cleanliness is always a material point to be observed, and a wash over now and then with tepid water will do much to invigorate them. This should be especially attended to when taking them from their resting places into the house. The mealy bug is perhaps, their worst enemy, and sometimes it is necessary to use some insecticide that will run in on them and destroy them. When growing let them have free sunlight, and from 6o° to 900 in temperature will do them no harm; in fact, most of them enjoy a very high temperature.

I keep mine on shelves close to the glass; and when they are coming into flower place them amongst other plants in the houses, and they make a gorgeous display. At this time as low a temperature as they will bear will lengthen the duration of the flower.

One party writes me asking how to make a bed of Cactus. In all cases the plants should be put so that they can be all seen. If only from one side, then the tallest should be in the background. If to be seen from all sides, the tallest should occupy the centre, studying to vary the subjects as much as possible. I prefer to plunge the pots, for in handling them men may be heard expressing themselves in no very nice language. You must be careful that the bed is complete in its drainage. I am frequently asked if there is any work published on the Cactus. I know of none of any importance, although I have frequently searched for one. Such a work would be of great value to many, for I know of no class of plants so badly mixed as they are. [Castle's Cactaceous Plants may be had at the Gardeners' Monthly office for 50 cts. Ed. G. M.] Every one seems to have chosen a name for himself. My experience has been that from ten different parties you will have almost ten different specific names, but really only the one species of plant.

Government Grounds, Canada.