The Harem Cactus is so called because on the desert these plants grow in great clumps or colonies, one in the group much taller than all the others. These large clumps have forty or more stems in mounds five feet or so across, and from six to eighteen inches tall, with one or more large stems in the center of each mound. Some of these stems are as much as eight inches in diameter. On them appear twelve to eighteen ridges whose crests are sharp and waxy. The main body of the plant is almost hidden by its dense stout coat of spines, of which there are four to eight radials and four centrals. All thorns are cross-ridged and a grayish pink with occasional bands of a deeper color. The flowers form in a cluster in the center of the stem heads and are about two and one-half inches long. Each flower is composed of nearly one hundred petals and sepals, together, bright yellow and purple-red. These blossoms are partly hidden by the long sharp stout spines. The fruit is elliptical and covered with dense woolly creamy white hairs. This plant grows in stony or rocky soils with plenty of exposure. How to grow Set out plants early in spring in rocky or stony soil with sunny exposures, and give enough irrigation to keep the soil moist. Sow the seed in fine sandy loam in flats or pots in part shade, and water enough to keep the soil lightly moist. The plants grow indoors and out and are not injured by twenty degrees of frost; in colder weather they require protection. Mexican Fruit Cactus (_Echinocactus hamatacanthus_—_Echinocactus longihamatus_) (Named _hamatacanthus_ from the hooked spines) How to identify and how it grows This species grows with solitary stems, only occasionally two to three together, a foot or so high, nearly a foot through and cylindrical. Along the stems run thirteen to seventeen quite prominent ribs covered with coarse tubercles, and a dozen or so two-inch radial spines and one to four central thorns, three to six inches long. These grooved spines are all crooked and twisted, also quite slender and brittle, sometimes breaking or splitting lengthwise. The radials are purplish, the centrals gray or tan. The flowers are three inches long, yellow tinged with tans and reds. The fruit is oblong, sweet, and edible. From it the dried sweetmeats are made. How to grow Transplant at any season, preferably in the spring, in sandy or gravelly clay loam in sunny exposures, with enough irrigation to keep the soil moist. The plants grow readily from seed sown in sandy loam in flats with part shade and watered sufficiently to keep the soil lightly moist. They grow inside and out and are uninjured by zero temperature, but with colder weather they should have protection. Mexican Lime Cactus; Limos de Visnaga (_Echinocactus Pringlei_—_Ferocactus Pringlei_)