Stove and Greenhouse Plants 



ABUTILON Several of the varieties having ornamental foliage, such 

 as A. Darwini tesselatum, A. Sellowianum marmoratum, A. vexillarium 

 and Eclipse, are good bedding plants. The last two are useful for vases 

 and boxes. All of them have the leaves blotched with yellow. Souvenir 

 de Bonn and Savitzii are variegated with white. Cuttings are rooted in 

 the Fall, or may betaken in early Spring from lifted and cut back plants. 

 The varieties grown for their flowers are numerous; the colors are pink, 

 red, white and yellow. They are everblooming. 



ACACIA Seedling Acacias are not to be recommended for small 

 flowering plants, on account of their lanky growth. Not only are plants 

 from cuttings most floriferous, but they are easier trained to any desired 

 shape. They should be taken from the half-ripened shoots during the 

 month of June. A peatty soil mixed with half sand should be used, as 

 the roots will take nourishment from it immediately they are formed. 

 Make the cuttings with a sharp knife and take off the leaves from the 

 part which is to go in the soil with a small pair of sharp scissors. The 

 pots for rooting the cuttings in should be prepared carefully rough 

 crocks in the bottom and finer above, until they are filled to within two 

 inches of the rim. The remaining space should be filled with finely sifted 

 peat and sand in equal parts topped off with pure sand. Dibble in the 

 cuttings to the depth of about an inch and not too crowded. They 

 must be kept " close " during the operation of rooting, and as cool as 

 possible. The pots, which may be plunged in sand, should be covered 

 with a movable glass structure. A good plan is to have two sets of 

 those hand-light or bell-glasses, and instead of wiping the moisture 

 from them daily, remove the wet ones and slip over them those which 

 are dry. After the first watering the cuttings will take but little more 

 during the process of rooting; when they do require it the foliage should 

 be allowed to dry before putting back the covers. Acacia Riceana is 

 perhaps the finest greenhouse species for very large plants. A. pubes- 

 cens, A. Drummondi and A. paradoxa are all good greenhouse species, 

 flowering well on moderate-sized specimens. Sandy loam, to which a 

 goodly quantity of leaf soil or peat is added, will suit them. Firm pot- 

 ting and good drainage are necessary. Plunge the plants outside dur- 

 ing Summer, and give liberal supplies of water when the plants are well 

 established. 



ACALYPHA HISPIDA Large plants in pots are speedily produced by 

 using a goodly quantity of bone meal in the soil. Grow in a high tem- 

 perature. If tall plants are wanted, keep nipping out the flower spikes 

 as they appear in the axils of the leaves. When the plant reaches the 

 desired height nip out the ends of the shoots; this will cause branching. 



AQAPANTHUS UMBELLATUS The African blue Lily is a desirable 

 prant for cool greenhouses, and ornamental either in or out of bloom. 

 In general appearance it resembles the Imantophyllum, but the flowers 



