The Cactus As A Window Plant

The Farmers' Advocate says this is much used as a window plant, and is very pretty when in bloom. To keep them through the winter, they should be allowed to get quite dry in the autumn, and remain so all winter, placing them away from frost. In the spring bring them into a warm room, and use very little water, which increase as the season advances. These plants will bear the greatest extremes of dryness and moisture. Without proper attention is paid at the season of rest to keep them cool and dry, they never will bloom properly. Do not throw them out, thinking they are dead, in the spring, for they will come all right, and bloom well.

Cactus Opuntia, (Prickly Pear.)

Dry basaltic or trap rocks, are the natural habitat of this plant. I have seen it only at West Rock, New-Haven, Ct. The flower will not compare in beauty with the exotic species, yet the unique appearance of the plant well adapts it to deck some rocky peak.

Caelogyne Cristata

Mr. Rand spoke of this plant on exhibition. It is one of the most valuable species for general cultivation by gardeners. It is not a new idea to grow it for cut flowers - Mr. Such and Mr. Men-and having grown it for this purpose for many years, the spikes selling for from two to three dollars each. It should be grown in sandy loam and have plenty of water. It is easily propagated by division of the pseudo bulbs, and flowers in profusion. The plants are yet somewhat scarce in this country. Mr. Such has a large plant two feet in diameter. One grower in England has a house 100 feet long filled with these plants, which are used for cutting. The flower keeps from two to five weeks, and can be commended as a valuable plant for gardeners.

The Cajan Pea

We have to thank A. H. Ernst, of Cincinnati, for a few of these peas. They resemble a common garden pea, but the plant is of a woody, erect growth, and was formerly classed in a botanical arrangement with the cytissi.

Caladium Argyrites

We present for a Frontispiece this month a drawing of the Caladium argyrites. The drawing was taken from a very fine plant in the collection of C. Van Voorst, Esq., who, we believe, was the first to import it. It is, in our estimation, much the prettiest of the Caladiums. The whole plant is one of great delicacy; the green is very soft, and the white pure, and the contrast is striking and beautiful. It is a hothouse plant, and delights in a warm moist atmosphere. The plant in the frontispiece is of the natural size. It deserves a place in the smallest collection of ornamental leaved plants. We have in preparation a plate of the Caladium Chantinii, with which we shall give directions for the cultivation of the Caladiums.

CALADIUM ARGYRITES.

Caladium Chantinii

We present for a Frontispiece this month, another of the beautiful variegated leaved plants, Caladium Chantinii We have still another in preparation. Our present subject is one of the gaudiest of this tribe of plants; the rich, deep green ground color contrasts finely with the shaded crimson veins; and as a farther variety and contrast, there are numerous spots, from shaded pink to pearly white. Our specimen is greatly reduced in size, and was taken from a plant grown by Mr. Hamlyn, gardener to W. C. Langley, Esq., of Bay Ridge. The leaves are usually from four to six inches wide, and twelve to eighteen long.

CALADIUM CHANTINII.