WINDOW FLOWERS 87 



are easily propagated by seeds or cuttings. The species are 

 numerous and greatly mixed. 



Begonias are often cultivated for their beautiful foliage 

 as much as for their flowers. Calyx and corolla are colored 

 alike, and stamens and pistils are found on separate flowers. 

 The plants readily grow from leaves, which are planted 

 edgeways in moist sand. 



The Cacti have no leaves; their place is supplied by the 

 green rind of the stem, which is often flattened. By this 

 arrangement, they are admirably adapted to their environ- 

 ment. As they grow in dry places or in arid regions, it 

 is to their advantage to present but little surface to the 

 air, and thus reduce evaporation of moisture to a minimum. 

 A few small species grow wild on rocks and sand in our 

 Northern States, while in the arid regions of our South- 

 west and West the genus is represented by numerous 

 larger species. As house plants they need but little water. 

 They are propagated by seeds or cuttings. 



The Flowering Maple, or Abutilon, has the stamens united 

 in a tube, which surrounds the styles. 



The English Ivy (Hedera Helix) is a climbing plant 

 adhering to walls by numerous small rootlets. In this part 

 of the United States, it is found only as a house plant. 

 Farther south, and in England and western Europe, it 

 endures the winter out of doors. It is cultivated for its 

 lustrous, dark green foliage. 



For either one of these plants, the teacher should pro- 

 vide similar material as for the geraniums. 



40. A Lesson on Window Gardens. 



The following directions are condensed from an article by George W. 

 Carver in Bulletin No. 32 of the Iowa Agricultural College, to which 

 the teacher is referred for more detailed information. 



Do you know where our horses, cattle, and sheep came from? 



