THE 

 PRACTICAL GARDEN -BOOK 



Abobra viridiflora. A handsome tender climber 



with tuberous roots, that may be taken up in the fall and 

 stored in a cellar. The foliage is dark and glossy, the flow- 

 ers small and inconspicuous ; but the small scarlet fruits are 

 very effective in contrast to the leaves, making it a desirable 

 screen plant. It is sold by seedsmen. Seeds sown as soon 

 as warm weather comes will give plants which bloom in the 

 open (in a warm soil and exposure), and which reach a 

 height of 5 8 ft. It is sometimes grown as a glasshouse 

 plant. It is cucurbitaceous (allied to melons and gourds). 



Abronia. Californian trailing perennials, but 

 treated as hardy annuals. They thrive in any warm, open gar- 

 den soil, and are very satisfactory for the margins of beds or 

 borders. The little flowers are borne in clusters. A. lati- 

 folia or arenaria (yellow) and A. umbellata or grandiflora 

 (pink) are the leading kinds. Usually sown where they 

 are to bloom. Peel the husk off the seed oefore sowing. 



Abutilons, or FLOWERING MAPLRS as they are 



called by many, make fine house or bedding plants. Com- 

 mon kinds may be grown from seed or from cuttings of 

 young wood. If the former, the seed should be sown in 

 February or March in a temperature of not less than 60. 

 The seedlings should be potted when from four to six leaves 

 have grown, in a rich, sandy soil. Frequent pottings should 



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