CHAPTER XXII 



THE ABUTILON, MIMULUS, CINERARIA AND 

 CALCEOLARIA 



The Abutilon 



The Abutilon, Chinese Bell Flower, or Flowering 

 Maple, as it is known in various sections of the coun- 

 try, is one of the best of all plants for house culture. 

 It is a free grower, a good bloomer, and gives its 

 greatest crop of flowers during the winter season, when 

 flowers are most highly prized. It is a plant that does 

 not require coaxing to grow well. It stands dry air, 

 dust and frequent changes of temperature better than 

 almost any other plant, and is seldom attacked by any 

 insect. All these things taken together make it a plant 

 especially adapted to the wants of the amateur. It is a 

 good plant to begin on. 



A well-grown specimen is always a source of 

 pleasure to the lover of fine plants. A poorly grown 

 plant is an eyesore, for if awkward at all it is likely to 

 be very much so. There is no reason why your plants 

 should not be well shaped if you are willing to give 

 them a little care. All that is required is judicious 

 pruning at the proper time. The Abutilon is a very 

 tractable plant, and can be made to assume almost any 

 form desired. If you want a shrub of it pinch back 

 while small, to induce the formation of branches near 

 the pot. If a tree shape is preferred let a straight stalk 

 grow to the hight of two, three or four feet, accord- 

 ing to the hight desired for the top or head of your 

 tree. Then pinch back, and let branches start, being 

 careful to leave only those near the top. By pinching 



