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them, so that new varieties are catalogued now every 
year by parties making a specialty of this class of plants, 
‘that we will not attempt to give any detailed list of 
varieties at present in cultivation. The old variety of 
Begonia Metallica is about as popular as any in this 
class, and is to be found in every collection of greenhouse 
plants where any pretentions are made to have a fair 
assortment. Sutton’s White Perfection is another very 
pretty variety, its pretty white flowers that are produced 
most freely, and its bright green leaves, renders it an 
interesting plant for amateurs to cultivate. Semper- 
florens Gigantea Rosea is also a noble plant in this class. 
It is newer than the others and not so generally known. 
Its bright coral red blooms with large handsome foliage 
always commands attention for it. The old Begonia 
Rubra is a handsome plant, and makes a pretty display 
in any collection of plants. All Begonias grow well if 
potted in a compost of. peat, loam, and thoroughly de- 
composed manure, in equal parts, with a small quantity 
of sand added, and they may be kept in a small state 
with great ease; but if fine specimens are required, they 
should be encouraged by frequent shiftings as the pots 
become filled with roots. When they are past flowering 
let them. be cut down, the old soil shaken from the roots, 
and the plants repotted in smaller pots, so as to allow of 
being shifted and grown on for the next season’s bloom- 
ing. These plants are exceedingly easy of increase, which 
may be effected either by cuttings, or seeds; in the latter 
way many hew kinds may be obtained, especially if 
several species or varieties are in bloom in the house at 
the same time. Looked upon in the light of exhibition 
plants, but few even of the best of the flowering species 
and varieties of Begonia would be thought admissible ; 
but these plants are thoroughly appreciated in the dull 
