GEEEN-HOUSE PLANTS. 



63 



of Abutilons are strong growers, and therefore are 

 admirably adapted for training upon pillars or 

 rafters. They should be potted in loam and peat, or 

 leaf-moiild, with the addition of a little sharp sand. 

 The following are some of the most desirable species 

 and varieties: — 



A. Boule de Neige. — Pure white. 



A. striatum. — Orange, beautifully veined with 

 crimson. 



A. Boule (V Or. — Large and globular, rich golden- 

 yellow. 



A. Caroline. — Light pink, veined with rose. 

 A. Fire King. — Flowers in pairs, bright orange- 

 scarlet. 



A. insignc. — Eich crimson and white. 

 A. Due cle Malakoff. — Flowers very large, bright 

 orange. 



A. Seraph. — Pui'e white, large and fine. 

 A. rohnstum. — Eose, veined with reddish-purple. 

 A. Trophy. — Pale yellow, streaked with reddish- 

 carmine. 



A. Verona. — Eosy-pink, streaked with reddish- 

 crimson. 



A. vexillariurn. — A dwarf species; flowers red and 

 yellow ; there is also a variegated form of this 

 plant. Xow named A. megopotamicum. 



Acacia. — This is a family of handsome shrubs, 

 some, indeed, attaining the dimensions of large trees, 

 b(3longiQg to the order Leguminosce. They are widely 

 distributed over the warmer parts of the globe ; the 

 greater number of the species, however, are natives 

 of Australia, where they are popularly known by the 

 name of ''"Wattle-trees." Independently of their 

 beauty, the genus claims our attention from a com- 

 mercial point of view, as some of the species yield 

 valuable drugs, &c. " Gum Arabic" is the produce 

 of A. vera, A. Arabica, A. Yerelx, and other allied 

 kinds. " Gum Senegal " and the drug called " Cate- 

 chu" are also obtained from various species of 

 Acacia. Again, many jdeld a valuable tanning 

 material largely used in the preparation of leather, 

 whilst from the seeds of some kinds the Indians of 

 South America produce an intoxicating spirit. 



In many of the species the leaves are tripinnate, 

 and give the plants a handsome plume-like ap- 

 pearance. The majority of the kinds produce an 

 abundance of beautiful flowers during the spring 

 and early summer months, wliich entitles them to 

 take first rank amongst green-house shrubs. 



The species here enumerated as being remarkable 

 for the beaiity of their flowers are amongst the most 

 desirable for green-house and conservatory decora- 

 tion, and all are natives of various parts of Australia. 



It is remarkable that A'ery many of the Aiistralian 

 Acacias do not develop their true leaves, but, instead, 



have their leaf-stalks flattened out and elongated 

 into leaf -like shape ; these are called " phyllodes," and 

 are arranged edgewise upon the stems and branches. 

 These "phyllodes" not only take on the appearance 

 of leaves, but also perform the same functions. 



The roots of Acacias are remarkable for gi^Tng off 

 a strong disagTceable odour, somewhat resembling 

 that of garlic. They are plants of very easy culture 

 and of strong constitutions. For soil they prefer 

 about equal parts of loam and peat, or loam and 

 leaf -mould, with a small quantity of sand added to 

 keep the mould open and porous. Acacias require 

 an abundant supply of water, and the pots in which 

 they are growTi should be well drained, for bad 

 drainage is as inimical to plant as to. animal life. 



Diu-ing the summer months, which will be after 

 the flowers are past, these plants will thrive best in 

 the open air, care being taken to keep worms fi'om 

 entering the pots, and proper supports being used in 

 order to prevent injiiry from strong winds. 



Acacias are not much troubled with insect enemies, 

 although sometimes they become infested with a 

 small white scale, w^hich, if allowed to increase with- 

 out check, will not only disfigure the plant, but 

 speedily affect the health of the victim. Whenever 

 this insect makes its appearance, the plants should 

 be laid down, and have a solution of soft-soap and 

 hot water apj)lied with vigour from the spinge. 

 A little paraffin oil may be mixed wdth the soap 

 with advantage, but care must be exercised in its 

 application, and by no means should it be allowed to 

 reach the roots. 



Propagation is effected both by cuttings and by 

 seeds. 



A. armata. — This charming species is, from its 

 close and compact habit, well adapted for cultivation 

 in small pots. The leaves, or phyllodes, are entire, 

 somewhat ovate in shape, and intense deep gxeen, 

 which forms a fine contrast to its rich golden balls 

 of flowers. With age the plant attains a height of 

 eight to ten feet, but young plants one foot high will 

 flower very freely. (Introduced fi'om Xew South 

 Wales, 1803.) 



A. argyrophglla. — This is a very handsome shrub, 

 even when not in bloom. The phyllodes, or false 

 leaves, are large, obovate, or naiTowing from the 

 base upwards, and clothed with a sih-crj'-grcy to- 

 mentum. Its globular heads of deep yellow flowers 

 are produced in the greatest profusion during the 

 spring months. 



A. ccerulescens. — A pretty shrub, with bluish ob- 

 ovate leaves, and globose heads of rich yellow. It 

 flow^ers in the spring months. 



A. cochlearis. — The flowers of this species arc 

 bright yellow and sweet-scented. It blooms in mid- 

 winter, which is an additional attraction. 



