upon which they are grafted.  Grafting is also adopted for some of the Cactuses to add to the grotesqueness of their appearance; a spherical Echinocactus or Mamillaria being united to the columnar stem of another kind, so as to produce the appearance of a drum stick; or a large round-growing species grafted on to three such stems, which may then be likened to a globe supported upon three columns.  As the species and genera unite freely with each other, it is possible to produce, by means of grafting, some very extraordinary-looking plants, and to a lover of the incongruous and “queer,” these plants will afford much interest and amusement.  Besides the above, we graft Epiphyllums, and the long drooping Cereuses, such as C. flagelliformis, because of their pendent habit, and which, therefore, are seen to better advantage when growing from the tall erect stem of some stouter kind, than if allowed to grow on their own roots.  By growing a Pereskia on into a large plant, and then cutting it into any shape desired, we may, by grafting upon its spurs or branches a number of pieces of Epiphyllum, obtain large flowering specimens of various shapes in a comparatively short time.  For general purposes, it is usual to graft Epiphyllums on to stems, about 1 ft. high, of Pereskia aculeata; pretty little standard plants being in this way formed in about a year from the time of grafting, As an instance of how easily some kinds may be grafted, we may note what was done with a large head of the Rat’s-tail Cactus which had been grown for some years on the stem of Cereus rostratus, but which last year rotted off just below the point of union.  On re-grafting this head on to the Cereus a little lower down, it failed to unite, and, attributing the failure to possible ill-health in the stock, we determined to transfer the Rat’s-tail Cactus to a large stem of Pereskia aculeata, the result being a quick union and rapid, healthy growth since.  Upon the same stock some grafts of Epiphyllum had previously been worked, so that it is probable these two aliens will form on their nurse-stem, the Pereskia, an attractive combination.  In Fig. 6 we have a fine example of this kind of grafting.  It represents a stem of Pereskia Bleo upon which the Rat’s-tail Cactus and an Epiphyllum have been grafted.

[Illustration:  Fig. 6.  Pereskia bleo, with Epiphyllum and cereus flagelliformis grafted upon it.]

For most plants the operation of grafting must be carefully and skilfully performed, but in the case of Cactuses very little skill is necessary if one or two rules, which apply to all kinds of grafting, are observed.  The period of vigorous growth, and while the sap of both the stock and the scion is in motion, is the most favourable time for the operation.  It is then only necessary, in order to bring about a speedy union, that the parts grafted should be cut so as to fit each other properly, and