110 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
rose-red flowers and has proved to be important in the crea- 
tion of some of the white forms, the best known of these 
being the “Queen of the Whites.” The same year B. Veit- 
chit followed, with its round vermillion-tinted flowers, to 
which many of our present-day varieties owe their coloring. 
In 1876 B. Clarkei and B. Davisii were introduced. The 
former has rose-colored blossoms, and the latter, a dwarf 
plant with smooth glossy foliage, has been of great value 
to the hybridists who, by crossing it with other strains de- 
rived from B. boliviensis and B. Veitchii, have produced a 
number of varieties with a dwarf compact habit but moderate 
sized and highly colored flowers. 
The above-named species are the chief parents of the 
present-day forms and in their native habitats grow at an 
altitude of 11,000 to 13,000 feet, which, however, does not 
signify that they are hardy in our climate. It will be 
noticed that, with the exception of the yellow-flowered B. 
Pearci, all the original species have red, scarlet, or crim- 
gon flowers; yet the result of hybridizing and crossing has 
been the production of progeny showing many varieties of 
color, such as white, pink, yellow, orange, crimson, and 
many intermediate iste: Veitch & Sons of England, and 
Crousse of France were the pioneers in the work, and when 
the small drooping flowers of the parents are compared with 
the large brilliant flowers of to-day, it seems hardly credible 
that such magnificent results could have been produced in 
a little over thirty years. 
Cultivation.—The cultivation of the tuberous begonia is 
not difficult. The easiest way is to purchase the Bees 3 
tubers from a specialist and start them in February or Mare 
in shallow boxes filled with sandy loam. They should be 
placed far enough apart to prevent matting and tangling 
of the roots when taken up to be potted, and kept at a 
temperature of 60-65°F, The plants are ready for potting 
when the new shoots are about two inches long. e soil 
should consist of sandy loam and well-rotted manure in pro- 
portion of four to one. The size of the pots should vary 
according to the tuber, but generally a three-inch size is 
large enough for the first potting. After potting watering 
should be moderate, as excessive moisture causes decay at 
the base. A light, ary boas and a temperature of 55-60° F. 
are necessary for the best development. However, when the 
flower buds begin to form it is advisable to apply shade to 
the glass. This not only improves the coloring of the flowers 
but also their keeping qualities. ; 
By the first of June all the plants should be in their 
flowering pots. The amount of water given at this time 
