GKEENHOUSE FOLIAGE PLAJSTTS. 45 



SECTIOX IV. 

 GREENHOUSE FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



ABUTILON. 



A useful genus of ornamental foliage plants, the flowers of 

 which are also highly attractive. The variegated kinds make 

 handsome exhibition specimens when properly treated, the 

 beautifully marked foliage having a very pleasing effect. 

 Among the best for exhibition purposes are A. Danoinii 

 tesselatum, A. Sellovianum marmoratum, and A. vexillarium 

 igneum. They are easily cultivated, and grow freely in a 

 compost of Kght turfy loam, peat, leaf-mould, and silver sand. 

 The drainage should be perfect, as they delight in a copious 

 supply of moisture at the root while growing, but it should 

 never be -allowed to become stagnant. The shoots must be 

 regularly pinched and trained as they grow, to form neat sym- 

 metrical specimens. They should be grown in comparatively 

 small pots, applying clear liquid manure to cause them to 

 make free growth and large leaves ; and as the growth attains 

 maturity they should be exposed to all the light and air pos- 

 sible to bring out the rich colours of the foliage to the greatest 

 perfection. 



AKALIA. 



Among the Aralias which thrive weU in the greenhouse 

 are several handsome kinds useful to the exhibitor, such as 

 A. (Oreopanax) dadylifolia, A. Sieboldii argentea, and A. tri- 

 foliata. They are easUy cultivated in a compost of equal parts 

 of turfy loam, peat, and leaf-mould, with a free sprinkling of 

 silver sand and nodules of charcoaL Abundance of water 

 must be given whilst growth is taking place. The finest 

 leaves are put forth in a rather close moist atmosphere, but 

 special care is necessary to prevent the growth being drawn, 

 and air must be given on all favourable occasions. They are 

 easily propagated by notching and mossing the tops of the 

 best furnished shoots. 



