136 THE CULTURE OF POT-PLANTS 



deeper in the soil. At all stages of their growth their require- 

 ments are warmth, moisture, and shade from strong sunshine. 

 In autumn they should be treated in the same way as before. 

 Tuberous begonias are at their best in their second and third 

 years. Afterwards it is generally advisable to replace them 

 by raising fresh stock from seed, or else by purchasing young 

 tubers. 



Canna. — A genus of tuberous plants with tall, upstanding 

 stems, handsome green or bronze foliage, and magnificent 

 flowers, chiefly yellow and red. They are often grown in pots, 

 and are also largely used for summer bedding, in which case, 

 if they are carefully lifted and potted in September before 

 they are injured by frost, they will continue flowering for a 

 long time in the greenhouse. It is easiest to start with tubers, 

 which can be purchased from any seedsman for a few pence 

 apiece. They should be treated in the same way as begonias, 

 except that as cannas make much more growth, they require 

 richer soil and more w^ater. In winter when the stems die 

 down, the tubers should be kept nearly dry — quite dry if the 

 temperature is very low. If desired, they can be divided in 

 the following spring. Plants raised from seed sown in 

 February in heat will flower the same year, but not so freely 

 as tubers. The seeds are large, round, and very hard, for 

 which reason cannas, many species being of Indian origin, 

 are sometimes called Indian shot. Each seed before it is 

 sown should be scratched wath a file, so as to cut the outer 

 skin, and should be soaked in hot water for about twenty-four 

 hours. 



Chionodoxa (Glory of the Snow). — There are several 

 species and varieties, mostly with bright blue flowers with a 

 white centre. They flower early in the year, and are easily 

 managed. As they are small, they are suitable for small pots, 

 in which a number of the bulbs should be planted about 

 I in. apart. 



Crocus. — The corms should be planted close together 

 in pots of sandy soil or bowls of fibre, early in autumn. They 

 may be put outside until they begin to grow, but it is better 

 to bring them in before severe frost, or to protect them in 



