IRISH GARDENING. 



the scientific horticulturalist as being the pro- 

 genitors of, perhaps, all the varieties of tuberous- 

 rooted begonias at present in cultivation in our 

 gardens. 



The first species introduced to cultivation were 

 sent to this country from Bolivia and Peru by 

 a Richard Pearce, who was travelling in search 

 of plants for the firm of .Messrs. Veitch. 

 Begonia boliviensis, here illustrated, was the 

 first of the series sent home. This was in 1864. 

 The plant is figured in the Botanical Magasine 

 t. 5657, and described as " a tuberous-rooted 

 deciduous kind." It was collected in Bolivia. 

 The next species forwarded was B. Pearcei, 

 also from Bolivia. It was tuberous-rooted like 

 the first, with a leafy stem about one foot high 

 carrying loose axillary panicles of bright yellow 

 flowers. B. Veitchii arrived soon after from 

 Peru. This was another tuberous-rooted form 

 with a very short stem carrying roundish leaves, 

 while its clusters of cinnabar-red flowers were 

 supported on stalks approaching one foot high. 

 Clarke's begonia {J3. C/arkii), collected both in 

 Bolivia and Peru, is very nearly related to B. 

 Veitchii. Two other tuberous-rooted forms 

 were imported by the Messrs. Veitch about 

 1867 ; one, B. rosceflora, discovered on the 

 Andes in Peru, having its leaf and flower-stalks, 

 its stipules and its bracts, together with its 

 flowers, a brilliant red. Davis's begonia (i?. 

 Davisii), another Peruvian tuberous-rooted 

 dwarf form bearing a six-flowered umbel on 

 short, bright red scapes, completes the list of 

 original species. 



Begonias are very easily hybridised, and the 

 results obtained by the hybridist during, say, 

 the last 30 years are perfectly astounding in 

 their variety and interest, and the intelligent 

 and systematic study of this particular section 

 of the genus by the horticultural student will 

 well repay all the time and trouble that can be 

 spent upon it. The first hybrid was B. Sedciii, 

 a cross between B. boliviensis and another 

 species supposed to be B. Veitchii. It was 

 raised by Messrs. Veitch's foreman, John Seden, 

 and named after him. The new hybrid was 

 distributed in 1870, having been awarded the 

 Silver Floral Medal by the Royal Horticultural 

 Society. As a garden hybrid of the second 

 generation we may instance B. Chelsoni, a cross 

 between B. Sedeni and B. bohvicnsis, with large, 

 drooping flowers like the latter plant. Then, 

 as an instance of more intricate crossing, we 



may take the pedigree of the garden form B. 

 tnodel, which, according to Burbidge, "is a 

 hybrid of the third generation, the result of in- 

 and-in crossing carried on between B. boliviensis 

 and B. Pearcei, in the first instance, and then 

 with B. Veitchii, and afterwards with B. Sedeni. 

 The result of this interbreeding was the produc- 

 tion of B. Stella and B. nwdel, both certified 

 varieties out of the same batch of seedlings." 



In hybridization it is well to remember that 

 B. boliviensis and B. Pearcei represent the two 

 extreme species in the series, the first giving 

 narrow leaves and narrow and pointed perianth 

 pieces to the resulting hybrid, and the latter a 

 more or less bronze colouration to the foliage, 

 wider and blunter perianth pieces, and a yellow 

 tint to the flowers. B. Veitchii a.nd B.rosceflora, 

 coming as they do from an altitude of 11,000 

 to 13,000 feet on the Peruvian Andes, tend to 

 impart a certain robustness of constitution to 

 their respective off'spring, while B. Davisii trans- 

 mits dwarfness of habit and brilliant colouration 

 of flowers. 



The half-hardy nature ot the different members 

 of this section of begonias, their more or less 

 dwarf habit, their freedom in flowering, together 

 with the delicate and pleasing colouration of 

 their blooms, place these charming perennials 

 in the very first rank as summer bedding plants. 



II.— CULTURE. 



Propagation — The begonia is propagated in several 

 wavs — namely, by seed, by division of ttie tubers and by 

 cuttings — but that by seed is generally used and will 

 prove best for bedding. 



Choice of Seed. — The choice of seed is a very 

 important point in the culture of this plant, as it is only 

 from the best strains of seed that success is assured. 

 Either get seed from those who make a speciality of 

 begonias or pick out your seed from plants you have 

 noticed as being nearest to your ideal. Seed from a 

 pure white and a bright scarlet growing amongst other 

 good strains will secure a good range of colour. Keep 

 your seed when ripened in a dry and rather cool place 

 till the time of sowing, which should be in January. 



SowiN'G OF Seed. — The seed should be sown in shallow- 

 pans, well crocking the pan, using a light compost of 

 half-leaf soil and half peat, and giving a liberal supply 

 of sand. Fill the pan to within half-an inch of the rim, 

 and make the surface firm and level. Take the seed 

 and scatter very thinly and evenly over the soil, as a 

 little seed will yield an immense number of plants, and 

 sprinkle a little fine soil over, barely covering the seed. 

 To water the seed the pan must be placed in water up 

 to the rim, and the liquid allowed to soak upwards, as 

 watering on the top would wash the seed in too far and 



