WINDOW GABDENTXG 235 
rich it will grow too tall to form a handsome shaped tree. Ordinary garden 
soil loosened with sand will answer. If the air of the room it occupies is too 
close and hot, it will not bloom, so give it air frequently, shielding it from 
draughts as you would a geranium, and water it well. 
It grows easily from cuttings ; prune in spring, and root the best of these 
prunings in wet sand to get new plants. 
Abuiilon striatum is hardly ever out of flower; its bells are of a golden 
3'ellow, veined with brown, and they are very graceful and lovely. 
Abutilon venosa has larger flowers, with deep red veins, and is very hand- 
some. 
A Marmaratum is a charming hybrid, blossoming all the year, and producing 
white flowers, marbled and veined with rose. 
A MesopotanicumSs a species which differs in the shape of both flowers and 
leaves. The calyx being scarlet, with golden yellow petals, the flowers beauti- 
fully nnrked ; they hang in regular rows down the flexible branches, and are 
very valuable for cut flowers. 
A Thompsonii is another distinct variety with variegated leaves, its leaves 
being mosaiced with yellow. 
A Santana is a new plant with flower bells of a much larger size, and of dark 
brownish crimsom, veined with orange color; it is the darkest sort cultivated. 
A album is pure white, and very much admired. 
The Orange. 
Small orange trees are very desirable window plants, on account of their ex- 
quisitely fragrant flowers, and beautiful evergreen foliage which contrasts finely 
with other plants. The prettiest for house culture are the dwarf varieties, and 
the dwarf Mandarin or China orange bears excellent fruit. The dwarf Otaheite 
is a more common kind, but not as suitable ; for neither its flowers nor fruit equal 
those of the Mandarin. 
Early in the eighteenth century, orange trees were quite the fashion for house 
culture, and although the A\shion has passed away, there are few plants that still 
combine so much perfection in foliage, fruit and flower. 
Oranges are usually raised from seed, and in a year or two, grafted from a fine 
i'ariet}-. Seeds sprout readily in any light loam, but the orange blooms the 
finest in good rich soil, and requires liquid manure once in a fortnight or even 
oftener. The foliage is handsomer, if the pot stands a little away from the full 
noonday sun. 
TJie Lemon. 
The Lemon belongs to the same genus as the Orange viz.: the Citrus, to which 
also belong limes, shaddocks and citrons; all the species are characterized by 
fragrant flowers, gloss}' evergreen leaves, and delicious fruits. 
Tlie golden apples of the Ilesperides are supposed to belong to this family. 
Fine trees are raised from seeds, and when the shoots are two years old they 
