5P$ 



Abutilon Thompsoni and other variegated-leaved Plants. — The 

 soil has nothing to do with the marking of Abutilon Thoinpsoni. Sunlight and 

 heat bring out its beautiful markings. The last winter and spring my plants 

 grown in close propagating houses were destitute of the beautiful markings char- 

 acteristic of this species. This was particularly the case with two large stock 

 plants, which became quite plain in color. When the weather was sufficiently 

 warm, they were planted out in the full glare of the sun in a warm situation. 

 Here they soon showed their lovely marking, and they were the admiration of 

 all who saw them during summer and fall. Plants which do not show the 

 markings which they ought to, want air, light, and bright sun. The fine 

 new Golden Coleus show their glowing colors in great beauty under glass, but 

 close to the glass, where the sun in all its fierceness can shine upon them. When 

 planted out doors, the situation should be warm and sunny. We must not for- 

 get that these plants are natives of the tropics, and delight in heat and sunshine, 

 whilst another class of very beautifully marked plants, which are natives of the 

 temperate zone, — tricolor geraniums, — lose their beautiful marking in warm, 

 sunny weather, under glass or out doors ; and it is only when the pleasant and 

 cooler weather of autumn comes round that they show their lovely marking, 

 which they continue to do during winter and spring. This beautiful class are 

 truly plants for green-house decoration during winter ; for here and during this 

 dull season they can be grown to great perfection, and are then superlatively 

 beautiful. Yours, etc., John Saul. 



Washington, D. C, Nov. 22, 1870. 



VOL. IX. 6 ' 81 



