| Show In Your Ow BB 4 n r rr r w i r- r rA M A K RDE i mid 11 A CACTUS HISTORY Would you ever think to look at a atypical atypical atypical typical cactus with Its odd form covered by thick spines and prickles that once In the long long ago its ancestors were wore ordinary plants like small trees or shrubs with stems leaves and fruits hanging from tram stalks There Thera Is today one lone existing ex cx- species les ies of ot that ancient race known as the which has foliage of a pale green and from which we gather that originally the forefathers of t the cactus lived in tropical countries where rain was abundant Decreased rainfall through centuries centuries cen con tunes of ot time has forced these plants plant to adapt themselves in order to maintain life JiCe First some of the developed a few spines these spine systems 18 became more and more elaborate as the stems of the tho plants thickened in proportion and became fleshy then some of the stems Items were flattened as well as thickened thus making their water water- holding possibilities greater and at atthe atthe atthe the same time the leaves began to disappear arli until today w we wi have the well known cactus which is native to America only of all parts o of the globe J Thus the plant plane which ages ago existed where rainfall was was more than plentiful can now exist be because because be be- cause of ot this modified form in the driest of deserts as well well asIn ln semi semi- desert areas To us living near tho the deserts desert of Nevada and Arizona as aswell well oven as those of our own state the cactus ca has a special sentimental value as well as its own undoubted beauty and interest t. t All c cacti however are not native to warm climates If It they were originally rIg nally they have ma managed to adapt themselves to changes in temperature temperature tem tern as well as to diminution of moisture and there Bre are sev several which will endure freezing ea each h winter as everyone can bear testimony testimony mony who has seen seen th thy them ni thriving in high places of Dt our own mountains mountains mountains moun moun- for tor instance between Salt Lake City and Park City I remember remember ber hundreds of at cacti cadi with lovely red and creamy yellow flowers The The spines of at the cactus protect the plants and conserve them pre pro venting animals f f f m eating them and thus materially lessening their numbers Birds however pick at atthe atthe atthe the ripened fruit and extract the seeds As I stated Saturday cacti make the I least least- ast exacting of ot house plants getting along long cheerfully with the smallest amount of attention while if you you go in In for collecting there ther are thrills galore In in store for you in searching for or new varieties Personally Per Per- I have received more excitIng excitIng exciting ing pleas pleasure re from tram watching a cactus cac cac- tiis open its delicate silk silky blossoms than the choicest rose More about cacti tom tomorrow QUERIES Mrs E. E T. T Salt Lake City writes I 1 received a lovely cyclamen plant as a Christmas gift Could you please tell me how to care for It 1 Ans Water Water the plant at the side of the pot so as s to prevent water falling tailing on the central part of the growth If there are a number of oC buds still sUlI to open a U SUm tablet will be of ot much benefit pressed Into the sol at the edge of the pot When all aU flowers have opened the leaves' leaves will begin to turn yellow and wither This is is the sign that the cyclamen wants to rest Give it less ess and arid less water vater until It I. I is quite dormant S Sometimes Sometimes' amateurs amateurs ama ama- can keep these plants over ver until the second winter and get them to flower but not always |
