BEGONIAS 



its roots will not be exposed, and drop it into 

 the pot of soil prepared for it in advance. As 

 soon as the fragile roots grow beyond the limit 

 of the sand containing them they will take hold 

 of the stronger soil with much more vigor than 

 they would if they had been disturbed ever so 

 little in removal. 



To grow the larger sorts of Begonia well 

 they must be given considerable root-room, 

 unless fertilizers are used, as advised in the 

 chapter treating on them. 



In repotting do not shake the roots out of the 

 old soil. Crumble away only as much of it as 

 can be easily separated from the outside of the 

 ball of earth. Repotting should be done dur- 

 ing the summer or early in fall, in order to give 

 the plants ample time in which to become fully 

 established in their new quarters before the 

 beginning of the winter season. 



I am frequently asked what kinds I consider 

 best for the amateur. If you want something 

 that will grow into a large plant of spread- 

 ing, upright habit, with very attractive foliage, 

 there is no better variety than Argentea guttata. 

 This variety has sharply pointed leaves of a 

 rich olive green on the upper surface, thickly 

 spotted with silvery white. The under side of 



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