174 
October, 1890. 
/ ORCHARD */ R n o OUR D E N \ 
Abutilon. 
The Abutilon is one of the most satisfac- 
tory house plants we have, being of good 
free growth and bloom, pretty foliage, 
seldom troubled with insects, handsome 
flowers, and of the easiest culture ; it ranks 
next to the Geranium for the window 
garden. It likes a light loamy soil, not too 
sandy nor too stiff : turfy matter with good 
garden loam is the best. Of course good 
drainage is indispensable with this, as with 
all other plants. Watering should be thor- 
oughly done, giving enough each time to 
wet the ball of earth entirely, but do not 
water too often, so that the soil will be kept 
in wet. soggy condition, as soil that is net 
allowed to dry out will become sour, and so 
greatly injure the plant. No plant looks 
well when the foliage is covered with dust, 
as the leaves are the lungs of the plant, and 
should be clean and free from dust, by 
frequent washings and syringings. The 
blossoms are bell-shaped, pendulous, and 
grow on long, slender stalks, very graceful 
in appearance. The colors vary, from red, 
yellow, reddish-orange, rose, cream, and 
white. Some varieties are more abundant 
bloomers than others, yet all are quite sat- 
isfactory in that respect, and bloom well in 
summer or winter. Because of the resem- 
blance of the leaves to the well-known 
maple-leaf, the Abutilon is often called the 
flowering-maple ; from the shape of the 
blossoms it is also called Fairy Bell. Two 
and three years old plants make fine large 
specimens, from five to six feet high, form- 
ing a beautiful object when dotted all over, 
with the long pendulous blooms, amidst the 
clear, shining, green foliage, which always 
is beautiful, even without the blossoms. If 
short, buaky plants are wanted, pinch off 
the top when it has grown as high as desired. 
The laterals will then start, and these in 
turn should be pinched back also, keeping 
the eye open with regard to the good shape 
of the plant. If the plant is preferred in 
the form of a small tree, allow but one stalk 
to grow, and no side branches, until it is 
three feet in height ; then pinch out the top 
of this, when the side branches will grow, 
until there are as many of them as desired, 
being careful, however, to preserve a 
graceful shape to the small trre, and 
allowing no laterals to grow below two feet 
from the bottom. Among the best varieties 
we find : 
Beule de Neige, pure white, comparatively 
dwarf but strong in growth, and a free 
bloomer. 
Eclipse, scarlet flowers in a yellow calyx: 
a trailing variety. 
Hibiscus, canary color, marked with violet 
flowers resembling a Hibiscus. 
Thompsonii plena , the only double variety, 
having reddish-orange flowers, with green 
and gold foliage. 
In keeping Abutilons over for winter 
bloom it is best to put them in a cool, 
shady place during the heat of the summer, 
n*(t allowing them to bloom any, as they 
will then have more strength laid up for 
winter blooming. — Greta Beverly. 
Floral Notes. 
October brings us to the close of the out- 
door plant season for most things. Pot 
plants, after having been thoroughly 
cleaned and the pots washed, should be 
put in their places in the green-house or 
the sittiug room. One important point is 
to see that they are entirely free from in- 
sects of all kinds. This will save much 
trouble and vexation during the winter. 
Half hardy plants and roots that are to be 
kept in the cellar may remain out till 
there is serious danger from frost, always 
remembering to keep on the safe side. 
Potted Hyacinths, Crocuses and similar 
bulbs may be put in cold frames till they 
are wanted. In the meantime they T will be 
making a strong root growth, which will 
insure better bloom. In the absence of cold 
frames the pots may be placed close to- 
gether in a sheltered spot and covered with 
leaves, placing boards or brush on top to 
prevent the leaves from being blown off. 
The leaves should be thick enough to keep 
out frost. Beds of bulbs (or any kind of 
plants) should not be covered till the ground 
has been frozen about an inch deep. 
Chrysanthemum growing seems to be on 
the point of receiving a check. There are 
many complaints of injury received by the 
depredations of a new insect. The insect 
we have not yet seen, but have been prom- 
ised specimens. We have seen some of the 
injured plants, however, and all hope of 
bloom from them has been quite destroyed. 
If this goes on. Chrysanthemum exhibitions 
will suffer some diminution. Some large 
growers are filled with gloomy forebodings. 
Being furnished with some of the injured 
tips, we examined them under a small 
microscope. We did not expect to find in- 
sects after the carriage, but we found a 
fungous growth present. The subject re- 
quires a close and patient examination. As 
a result of the injury, whatever may be its 
cause, the terminal growth turns black and 
dies. Thus far the disease is confined to 
localities. 
The bulbs of the so-called “ Chinese 
Sacred Lily” may be put in water any time 
'during November and December, and 
earlier if they can be bad; but the bulbs are 
imported annually from China, and seldom 
arrive here before November. If possible 
get the single-flowered variety rather than 
the double as it is in every way better. 
Put from three to five bulbs in a dish if you 
wish to have a really fine show of bloom. 
They will grow in almost anything that 
will hold water; but there is nothing more 
suitable or prettier than a nice glass dish 
thiee inches deep, and of any suitable s ze. 
It is necessary to place small stones or 
pebbles around the bulbs to keep them up- 
right. The stones should be about the size 
of hickory nuts, or somewhat larger. The 
surface may be finished off with small peb- 
bles or moss, the latter producing a pretty 
effect. Keep the bulbs in the dark till the 
leaves begin to grow, when they may be 
placed at the window. When in bloom 
they may be used to ornament the dining- . 
room or sitting room table, or placed' 
wherever good taste may suggest. The 
bloom will last longest in a moderately cool 
room. This so-called “Sacred Lily” is a 
Narcissus, which- the Chinese take special 
pains to prepare for blooming in water. 
October is the month for the general 
planting of hardy bulbs outside. The plant- 
ing, however, may be continued as long as 
the ground remains unfrozen. The soil 
should be enriched with old, well-rotted 
manure, and the beds selected should be 
those located where surface water does not 
accumulate during the winter. Hyacinth 
and Tulip bulbs are those generally used 
for bedding, and sometimes the Narcissus; 
but a better place for all kinds of Narcissus 
is the border, where they should be planted 
in clumps. Crocuses, Scillas, Snowdrops, 
etc., are used for edging, but are not out of 
place anywhere. 
Lily of the Valley is a great favorite, but 
is very often planted in unsuitable places. 
This plant is a great underground traveler, 
and multiplies very fast. It should there- 
fore be planted in some out-of-the-way 
place, where it will not become a constant 
source of vexation; that is, when not in 
bloom; for when in bloom it is a constant 
source of delight anywhere. 
The beautiful little Lilium tenuifolium can 
be grown successfully as a room plant. It 
requires the same soil and treatment as the 
Bermuda Lily, and is no more difficult to 
grow, if sound, mature bulbs be used. 
Three to five of these small bulbs in a four- 
inch pot will be about right. The bright 
scarlet flowers are little gems. 
Anomatheca cruenta is seldom seen as a 
room plant; but it does very nicely at a 
sunny window. The flowers resemble 
somewhat those of the Freesia, but are 
bright scarlet and very beautiful. The 
bulbs are small, and several should be 
grown in a pot. Treat the same as the 
Freesia. 
Erythronium grandiflorum is the largest 
flowered of the Dog's Tooth Violets, and is 
one of the best for growing in rooms. All 
the species are desirable for forcing in the 
green-house, and they are also good border 
plants. E. grandiflorum bears handsome 
light yellow flowers. Like all small bulbs, 
there should be several in a pot. 
Omithogalum Arabicum is a fine bulb for 
w inter blooming, either in a green-house or 
a sitting room. It likes a rather strong 
light. The bulb is of medium size, the 
leaves long and abundant, and one bulb is 
enough for a four-inch pot. The flowers 
are white with a conspicuous dark center, 
and are b >rne in quite a large umbel. 
Cliionodoxa Lucilice, or Glory of the 
Snow, is, if possible, more beautiful than 
Scilla Sibirica, the most noticeable differ- 
