Turning now to a consideration of those kinds known as garden plants, we find that comparatively few of the species known to botanists are represented in English collections, though, perhaps, we may safely say that not one of the kinds known would be considered unworthy of cultivation except by those who despise Cactuses of whatever kind. Their flowers are conspicuous both in size and brilliancy of colour; and in the curious, grotesque, and even beautifully symmetrical shapes of their stems, one finds attractions of no ordinary kind. The stem of E. Visnaga shown at Fig. 48 may be taken as an instance of this—apart from the cluster of star-like, bright yellow flowers seen nestling upon the top of their spine-protected dwelling, the whole suggesting a nest of young birds. This plant is indeed one of the most remarkable of the Echinocactuses, owing to the size and number of its spines—which are 3 in. long, almost as firm as steel, and are used by the Mexicans as toothpicks—and to the gigantic size and great weight of the stem. The following account of a large specimen of this species introduced to Kew in 1845, is taken from an article from the pen of the late Sir Wm. Hooker in the Gardeners' Chronicle of that year. This gigantic plant was presented to the nation, in other words to Kew, by F. Staines, Esq., of San Luis Potosi. Such was its striking appearance, that it was stated that, if exhibited in the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, some hundreds of pounds might be realised by it. In a letter from Mr. Staines, here quoted, our readers will perceive how difficult it often is to obtain living specimens of these plants from their native habitats. He writes: "I mean to have a large specimen of E. Visnaga deposited in a strong box, sending the box first to the mountain where the monsters grow, and placing it on the springs of a carriage which I shall despatch for that purpose. My monstrous friend cannot travel any other way, from his stupendous size and immense ponderosity, which cannot be adequately calculated for here, where the largest machine for conveying weights does not exceed sixteen arrobes, or 400lb. This enormous plant will require twenty men at least to place it upon the vehicle, with the aid of such levers as our Indians can invent. It grows in the deep ravines of our loftiest mountains, amongst huge stones; the finest plants are inaccessible to wheeled vehicles, and even on horseback it is difficult to reach them. I shall pack him carefully in mats before applying to his roots the crowbars destined to wrench him from his resting place of unknown centuries. He will have to travel 300 leagues before he reaches Vera Cruz." Being too large to be packed in a box, it was first surrounded with a dense clothing of the Old Man's Beard or Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides)—and a better covering could not have been devised—and well corded. Fifteen mats, each as large and as thick as an ordinary doormat, formed the exterior envelope. When unpacked on its arrival at Kew, this monster Cactus was seen as perfect, as green, and as uninjured as if it had been that morning removed from its native rocks, its long, rope-like roots arranged in coils like the cable of a ship. When placed in scales it weighed 713lb., its circumference at 1 ft. from the ground was 4½ ft., and its total height, 8 ft. 7 in.; the number of ridges was forty-four, and on each ridge were fifty bundles of spines, four spines to each bundle. Thus there were 8800 spines or toothpicks, enough for the supply of an army. A still larger specimen was a year or so later successfully brought to Kew, and which weighed 1 ton; but this, as well as the smaller one, survived only a short time. There have been numerous other large specimens of this Cactus in English gardens lately, all of them, however, succumbing to the unfavourable conditions of our climate. Mr. Peacock, of Hammersmith, recently possessed two large plants of E. Visnaga, one of which weighed nearly 5cwt., and measured 8 ft. 6 in. in circumference.
Cultivation.—The soil for Echinocactuses should be similar to that recommended for the Cereuses, as also should be the treatment as regards sunlight and rest. It cannot be too clearly understood that during the period between October and March these plants should be kept perfectly dry at the root, and in a dry house, where the temperature would not fall below 50 deg. There is no occasion for re-potting the Echinocactuses every year, it being by far the safest plan to allow them to remain in the same pots several years, should the soil be fresh and the drainage perfect.
All the larger-stemmed kinds may be kept in health when grown on their own roots; but for some of the smaller species it is a good plan to graft them upon the stem of some of the Cereuses, C. tortuosus or C. colubrinus being recommended for the smaller kinds, and for the larger C. peruvianus, C. gemmatus, or any one the stem of which is robust, and of the right dimensions to bear the species of Echinocactus intended to be grafted. Some growers prefer to graft all the small Echinocactuses upon other kinds, find certainly, when properly grafted, they are safer thus treated than if grown on their own roots. In grafting, the two stems (stock and scion) must be cut so that their edges meet, and in securing them two or three stakes must be placed in such a way as to afford support to the graft and hold it firmly in position.
Propagation.—Besides grafting, cuttings of the stems may be utilised for the multiplication of Echinocactuses, first removing the upper portion of the stem and putting it into soil to root, and afterwards, as lateral stems develop on the old stock, they may be cut away with a sharp knife, and treated in a similar manner. Should a plant become sickly, and look shrivelled and cankered at the base, it is always best to cut away the healthy part of the stem, and induce it to form fresh roots, thus giving it a new lease of life. Seeds of these plants may be obtained from dealers, more especially Continental nurserymen, and to watch the gradual development of the plant from the seedling is both interesting and instructive. The seeds should be sown in soil, and kept moist and warm; in about a month after sowing, the little pea-like, green balls will be seen pushing their way through the thin covering of soil, and gradually but slowly increasing in size, their spines also increasing in number and strength, the ridges forming according to the character of the species, till, finally, they assume the mature characters of the plant, both in stem and habit. The flowers, of course, appear according to the length of time it takes for the species to grow to flowering size.
SPECIES.
[E. brevihamatus] (short-hooked).—Several kinds of Echinocactus are distinguished from the rest in having the ridges divided into tubercles, which are often globular and arranged in a spiral round the stem, as in the genus Mamillaria; to this section the present species belongs. The stem is almost sphere-shaped, from 4 in. to 6 in. high, the tuberculated ridges about ¼ in. deep, and upon each tubercle is a tuft of about a dozen brown, radiating spines, with a long central one hooked at the point. The flowers are borne in clusters on the top of the stem, three or four opening together; they are 1 in. in length, and the same across the spreading petals, which are pink, shaded with deep rose. A native of the mountainous regions of South Brazil; introduced about 1850. Flowers in summer. This pretty little plant will thrive if placed upon a shelf in a greenhouse where it will have full sunshine during the greater part of the day. It grows very slowly, especially when on its own roots, but succeeds better when grafted on another kind.
[E. centeterius] (many-spined); Bot. Mag. 3974.—This has a conical-shaped stem, 6 in. high by 4 in. wide, with about fourteen ridges, which are notched, and bear star-shaped clusters of pale brown spines, ½ in. long. The blossoms are borne rather thickly on the summit of the stem, from six to nine flowers being sometimes open together; and as they are each nearly 3 in. across, and of good substance, they present an attractive appearance. The petals are of a deep straw-colour, with a reddish streak down the centre, and 1½ in.long, with the apex notched or toothed. The stamens are spirally coiled round the stigma, which is club-shaped and white. This species is probably a native of Mexico, and was first flowered in England at Kew, in 1841. A cool, dry greenhouse suits it best; or it may be grown in a sunny room window where frost would not be allowed to reach it in winter. Unless subjected to very dry treatment during the winter months, and also kept in a position where all the sunlight possible would reach it—even when at rest —there is not much chance of this plant producing its large flowers. It may be kept alive by giving it uniform treatment all the year round, but it would never flower.
[E. cinnabarinus] (cinnabar-flowered); Bot. Mag. 4326.—This is another of the Mamillaria-like kinds, and is remarkable for the depressed form of its stem, which may be likened to a sea urchin, both in size and shape. Old plants are from 6 in. to 8 in. in diameter, and about 4 in. high; the spiral formed by the tubercles rises very gradually, and each of the latter is surmounted by a tuft of strong, brown, radiating spines, imbedded in a little cushion of wool. The flowers spring from the outside of the depressed top of the stem, two or three opening together and forming a beautiful picture, both as to size and colour. The tube is short and green, with a row of long green sepals at the top, and above these the petals, which are 2 in. long, overlapping, recurved, the edges toothed, and the colour a brilliant cinnabar-red. The stamens are in two series, very numerous, and the anthers are bright yellow. Looking at the flattened, spiny stem, it seems impossible that such large, handsome flowers should be produced by it. A native of Bolivia; introduced about 1846. It blossoms in July, and may be grown on a shelf in a cool greenhouse, as advised for the E. centeterius.
[E. concinnus] (neat); Fig. 29.—A small species with a globose stem, 2 in. high and 3 in. wide, and about twenty ridges, which are rounded, rather broad, each bearing about half-a-dozen little bunches of spines arranged in a star. The flowers are numerous, as large as, or larger than, the stem, being 3 in. long and broad, the tube covered with brown hair-like spines, and having a few reddish scales, whilst the petals are in several rows, overlapping, with pointed tips, and are coloured dark yellow with a red streak down the centre. Several flowers are sometimes developed together on a little stem, when they have the appearance of being much too large for so small a plant to support. The pale green of the stem and its brown spines contrast prettily with the handsome yellow flowers, which are brightened by the streaks of red on the petals and the clear red colour of the stigma. It is a native of Mexico, and was introduced about 1840, flowering early in summer. It requires a warm greenhouse temperature all the year round, with, of course, plenty of sunshine. It may be grafted on the stem of an erect-growing Cereus, such as C. serpentinus or C. Napoleonis, the stock to be not higher than 6 in., and about as wide as the plant of E. concinnus is at the base.
