98 HOME FLORICULTURE 



these back in turn you can force other branches to 

 break, and in this manner a bushy head can be formed 

 with but little trouble. 



The flowers are pendulous, and shaped like a bell, 

 hence the name of Bell Flower, while the foliage of 

 most varieties is shaped like that of the Maple, hence 

 the name of Flowering Maple. The colors run through 

 various shades of red, pink, orange, clear yellow and 

 crimson-purple to pure white. A well-grown plant, 

 when in full bloom, is a beautiful sight, with its grace- 

 ful bells pendent from their long and slender stems, 

 showing against the pleasing and abundant foliage. 

 King of Roses is a beautiful, soft rose color, veined 

 with white. It is a most profuse bloomer, and makes 

 strong growth. Golden Fleece is pure yellow, also a 

 great bloomer. Crusader is a rich scarlet. Boule de 

 Neige is a pure white, very delicate in habit, and one 

 of the best. There are several fine variegated sorts. 

 One of the best is A. Thompsonii, with leaves elegantly 

 marbled in mosaic-like pattern with light and dark 

 green and yellow. A. vexillarium is a trailing variety, 

 with long and pointed leaves of green and yellow. It 

 is a charming plant for a basket, or for growing in a 

 pot on a bracket. A. Savitzii has foliage of a pale 

 green, heavily edged and marked with white, and is 

 one of our very best variegated plants for decorative 

 purposes. 



The Abutilon likes about the same kind of soil 

 that suits the Geranium. It must have considerable pot 

 room if you want to develop the full beauty of the 

 plant. Shower well to keep the foliage clean, and 

 bring out the beauty and brightness of it to the best 

 advantage. The scale sometimes gets on the stalk. In 

 case you find it there, scrub the plant well with an old 

 brush and soapsuds. Cuttings can be started very 

 easily at any time of the year. If you want your 



