10 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [January, 



few years pipes become choked witli roots, and cease to act, whilst well-made 

 rubble drains will carry the surplus water away for generations. After removing the 

 subsoil to the required depth, fill all up with good turfy loam, but do not on any 

 account mix manure from the dung-heap with it ; it is a mistaken notion on 

 the part of persons inexperienced in the requirements of hard-wooded trees, to 

 mix rank manure in the soil. Such manure is only serviceable on occa- 

 sions which will be pointed out, and should be applied on the surface as a 

 mulching ; but if broken bones are to be had, they may be mixed with the soil, 

 because they are slow in action, and supply a gentle stimulus for years. And 

 now again, it may be asked, why insist on so much depth of good soil ? I answer 

 because I find from experience that the roots of the Paradise Stock revel in a 

 well-prepared soil, and that it imparts to a naturally slow-growing stock a vigour 

 which, in its reaction on the growth of the scion, gives room for a free manipula- 

 tion on the part of the operator, so that growth follows on restrictive treatment. 

 We must always remember that in checking growth we interfere with root-action, 

 and that to maintain the balance, the roots should have the most favourable 

 medium we can give them in which to develope themselves freely. Some may 

 think that because a limited growth is required, a limited amount of soil is 

 sufficient ; but it is not so, for trees under such treatment soon degenerate into 

 debility, and ultimately waste away. — John Cox, Redleaf. 



BEGONIA INTERMEDIA. 



^5|j)EG0NIAS seem to be specially amenable to horticultural influences, for 

 )^^ though a large proportion of the numerous species are beautiful in them- 

 •'^>J selves, they have yielded to the hybridizer many still choicer floral gems. 

 X -A. recent example may be cited in the case of Begonia weltoniensis^ which 

 is one of the best decorative plants that was ever raised. Latterly a batch of 

 high-coloured hybrids have resulted from the crossing of the charming B. Veitchii, 

 and some allied kinds, with B. boliviensis, and these promise to eclipse all that 

 have preceded them in utility and in beauty. As examples of this set, B. Sedetii, 

 B. C/ielsoni, and B. rubra superha^ may be named as prominent examples, all 

 free-blooming branching plants, with large and highly coloured flowers. 



Another of the same series is the B. intermedia^ raised by the Messrs. Veitch 

 and Sons, of Chelsea, and of which we now introduce a figure. It is a hybrid, 

 the result of a cross between B. Veitchii and B. boliviensis, partaking of the 

 habit of the latter, the plant being a vigorous upright grower, attaining an 

 average height of from 15 to 18 inches, and branching freely. The leaves have 

 much of the form and texture of those of B. Veitcldi^ but are toothed like those 

 of B. bolivicnsis, while the flowers are of the size and form and possess much of 

 the colour of the fomier, but are of a darker shade of crimson. We learn from 

 Messrs. Veitch that this is the hardiest of the hybrids they have yet raised, as 

 it succeeds well in a greenhouse, and can be wintered in a cold frame. The}' 

 state that it has survived with them, out of doors, during a mild winter. — T. M. 



