1879.] TUBEROUS BEGONIAS. 171 



When the seedlings are fit to handle, either pot them off singly, or 

 better still, prick out a few into 4- or 6-inch pots. This will not 

 necessitate such frequent waterings. Should they be potted singly 

 in small pots, they might be plunged in cutting-boxes among leaf- 

 mould or sawdust, which will keep them at a more uniform degree of 

 moisture. As it is desirable to have the bulbs as strong as possible, 

 they should not be allowed to stand still, but be kept growing on in 

 heat the first season, and regularly attended to with water — yet not 

 overdone, else they may damp off. 



Now as regards wintering them. Many have experienced some 

 difficulty in keeping them over the winter ; and indeed we have more 

 than once known gardeners lose almost their entire stock during the 

 winter months, and we have suffered ourselves in the same way. The 

 usual way was to dry them off entirely, laying the pots on their side 

 in some out-of-the-way place, and keeping them dust-dry all winter. 

 Well, this is a mistake which we were also guilty of at one time, 

 but have now abandoned for what we consider the more rational 

 one, of keeping the bulbs fresh by a moderate supply of water 

 during the time they are at rest, and in a temperature of about 

 50°, and we now seldom lose any. They will begin to push away 

 at the proper time, or may be hastened by being introduced into a 

 warmer house and more liberally supplied with water. They may 

 be repotted or shifted into larger pots after they have made a few 

 inches of growth, using good fibry loam, a little peat, and enough 

 sand to keep it free and open. They require to be very carefully 

 watered for a time after shifting, especially if they have got a large 

 shift, else they may damp off. A layer of well-rotted dung may be 

 placed over the crocks, which the roots will revel in when they 

 reach it. 



When a collection of named varieties is grown, and it is thought 

 desirable to increase them, this may be done by cuttings taken from 

 off the old plants as soon as they have made enough growth for that 

 purpose. In selecting the cuttings care should be taken to choose non- 

 flowering shoots, as those bearing flowers do not readily form bulbs ; 

 and though they thrive well enough during the summer, the chances 

 are that all will go off during winter. Cuttings may be put into 

 any convenient size of pot or pan, draining them carefully, and filling 

 to within an inch and a half of the rim with ordinary pottiDg soil, 

 and then fill up with sharp river or silver sand. Insert the cuttings, 

 water, cover with a bell-glass, and then plunge the pots where a brisk 

 bottom-heat is maintained ; they will root in two or three weeks, 

 when they may be potted off singly and treated as described above 

 for seedlings. 



