Succulent Plants are so characterized on account of their thick juicy leaves. "They are formed to exist," says that excellent botanist and horticulturist, Mr. Fortune, now traveling for the London Horticultural Society, "in countries and situations where they are often exposed to intense light and dryness; their skins are thick; they have few evaporating pores; and they have, likewise, few roots to gorge their tissue with food during the rainy season. Therefore, we find the dry sandy plains of the Cape abounding in aloes and mesembryanthemums; and the bare volcanic rocks of Mount Etna covered, in many places, with the common prickly pear. In Mexico, also, and in many other parts of Central and South America, the extensive race of cacti, with their curious unvegetable-like forms, are at home, and flourish even in those dry and parched seasons when the whole face of nature besides seems withered and destroyed. I wish particularly to draw attention to the natural circumstances in which these plants are found; because, if these are once known, they are sure and certain guides in cultivation.

"To be grown well, the whole race of what are called succulent plants require to be kept in the lightest possible situation in the green-house. It is true they may be grown in heavy-shaded green-houses, but their leaves will never acquire that beautiful colour which is seen in light situations, nor will they flower so freely. Water should be given to the slow-growing kinds at all times with a judicious hand, but particularly during winter, as more plants are killed by over-watering, than by any other cause. At this time, once in ten days or a fortnight will generally be found sufficient; but as this depends upon the situation and the weather, much must be left to the good sense of those who attend them. Those kinds which are more luxuriant in growth, and not so succulent, require more water, and are not so easily injured by it. By far the greatest number succeed perfectly, where the temperature is merely high enough to exclude frost, that is, anywhere between thirty-five and forty-five degrees, as may be most agreeable to the cultivator.

"Succulents are generally easily multiplied, either by seeds or cuttings. If the cutting is very soft, and liable to damp, it ought to be dried a little before it is put into the sand. Sometimes a little quicklime is useful for preventing decay, and can be either used for the base of the cutting, or to any part of the plant from which a damping piece has been removed." - Gardeners' Chron.