94 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Roses in the parlor need frequent washings or showerings, good 

 drainage, and frequent stirring of the surface soil. If the earth 

 in the pots is sour and sodden they soon become sickly. 



Abutilon. — All the species thrive in the parlor, except perhaps 

 the red flowered (A. insigne), and even this we have seen doing 

 well. The best is the common A. striatum^ which is always in 

 bloom, is a very clean plant, and of symmetrical growth. 



Many species are tall growers, and are too large for common 

 cultivation ; where space and sufficient light can be given, they 

 form fine bushes which give a profusion of bloom. 



A. Pattersoni or Santana is a very free blooming, large flowered 

 variety of compact growth. 



A. Verschaffeltii has bright sulphur-colored flowers in great pro- 

 fusion. 



A. Tliompsoni and A. veccillarium variegatum are valuable for 

 their bright foliage ; the former, however, requires more heat than 

 most kinds. 



A. vexillarium has charmingly contrasted flowers of red and 

 yellow. 



A. Boule de Neige is a new dwarf, fj-ee flowering, white variety, 

 which promises to be very valuable. 



All abutilons require a rich, light soil, with good drainage, and 

 plenty of water and light. They thrive in the dry atmosphere of 

 living rooms better than most plants, and with very little care give 

 fine foliage and abundance of bloom. 



CupHEA. — For constant bloom there is no better plant than the 

 so called " cigar plant " (0. platycentra) . It has bright, cheerful 

 little flowers, grows freely, and never seems to become sickly. 



Cyclamen. — The varieties of Cyclamen Persicuni are all well 

 suited for parlor culture. A neater, more attractive plant, it 

 would be difficult to find, and its floriferous property is an added 

 recommendation. The tubers should be started into growth in 

 October, watered moderately until in active growth, then more 

 freely. The more light and sun the better. Seedling varieties are 

 easily obtained, and are very cheap ; in color they vary from pure 

 white to deep rosy red. 



Cactus. — These are mostly summer bloomers, and all do well 

 with but little care. There is, however, one winter blooming 

 species, Epiphyllum truncatnm^ which is a capital window plant. 

 Give it a light, not very rich soil, with good drainage, be careful 

 not to overwater, and it will not fail to give satisfaction. In the 



