SECTION XIII 

 Stove and Greenhouse Plants and Flowers 



Abutilon. Though well-flowered, well-furnished plants sell readily, 

 it is, generally speaking, as cut flowers that Abutilons are most remune- 

 rative. The plants are readily raised from cuttings kept close and in 

 a gentle heat during the spring months. Shifted in time into 5-in. pots 

 these plants may be grown outside during the summer months. As they 

 come into flower they can then be disposed of, There being a fair 

 demand for standard plants of all kinds, a few Abutilons grown in this 

 way may prove very remunerative. As cut flowers there is a deal of 

 the "cut and come again" character about Abutilons, In a temperature 

 of 50 to 65 F, the Abutilons will bloom throughout the winter, par- 

 ticularly if the flowers are picked as they develop. The plants may 

 be trained to a back wall, pillars, or on any spare portion of the roof. 

 They grow freely, and an occasional stimulant is of great help to them. 

 The selection of varieties is an important matter, as there are so many 

 with flowers of a poor undecided tint which are practically useless from 

 a commercial point of view. White flowers are always in demand, the 

 best of this colour being the old Boule de Neige, while Golden Fleece 

 is a good clear yellow. One of the best pinks is rosceflorum, and of the 

 reds Sanglant. The grower for market always needs to keep an eye on 

 the vagaries of fashion, as colours popular one year may be almost un- 

 saleable the next. Still, good whites and yellows may be grown with 

 confidence. One of the best silver variegated kinds is Savitzi, and another 

 is Souvenir de Bonn, while Thompsoni and vexillarium variegatum are 

 amongst the best, with yellow mottled leaves. [w. T.] 



Acacia. Of this extensive genus only a very few are available for 

 market culture, as the majority of them must attain tree-like dimensions 

 before they flower well. A case in point is furnished by A. dealbata, 

 the " Mimosa" of florists' shops. If this could be flowered in a small 

 state there would be a great demand. The best of the Acacias for this 

 purpose are armata, cordata, Drummondii, grandis, ovata (or obliqua), 

 and verticillata. 



Acacias need more care in their propagation than the bulk of plants 



commonly grown for market. They are increased by cuttings of the 



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