To obtain seeds from cultivated plants, it is necessary, in order to
insure fertilisation that the top of the stigma (see Fig. 2) should be
dusted over with the dust-like pollen from the anthers. This may be done
by means of a small camel-hair brush, which should be moistened in the
mouth and then pushed among the anthers till covered with pollen, which
may then be gently rubbed on to the stigma. A warm, sunny morning is the
most suitable time for this operation, as fertilisation takes place much
more readily under the influence of bright sunshine than at any other
time. Some of the kinds have their floral organs so arranged as to be
capable of self-fertilisation; still, it is always as well to give them
some assistance. The night-flowering species must, of course, be
fertilised either at night or very early in the morning. By using the
pollen from one kind for dusting on to the stigma of another, hybrids
may be obtained, and it is owing to the readiness with which the plants
of this family cross with each other, that so many hybrids and forms of
the genera Epiphyllum and Phyllocactus have been raised. It would be
useless to attempt such a cross as Epiphyllum with Cereus giganteus,
because of their widely different natures; but such crosses as
Epiphyllum with Phyllocactus, and Cereus flagelliformis with C.
speciosissimus, have been brought about. To an enthusiast, the whole
order offers a very good field for operations with a view to the
production of new sorts, as the different kinds cross freely with each
other, and the beautiful colours of the flowers would most likely
combine so as to present some new and distinct varieties.

Cuttings.--No plants are more readily increased from stem-cuttings than
Cactuses; for, be the cutting 20 ft. high, or only as large as a thimble,
it strikes root readily if placed in a warm temperature and kept
slightly moist. We have already seen how, even in the dry atmosphere of
a museum, a stem of Cereus, instead of perishing, emitted roots and