NOTES. 348 
NOTES. 
By Mr. W. Suyrue, F.R.H.S. 
Iy crossing Begonia weltoniensis with a scarlet seedling of the ordinary 
tuberous type I did so with the idea of producing a bedding variety of 
the weltoniensis breed, but with the hardiness of the male parent, and 
capable of standing the whole summer, regardless of inclement weather. 
The result was the Begonia I have called ‘ Basing Park Hybrid,’ which 
produces stout, bushy plants of quite a good bedding habit and a pro- 
fusion of flowers, but with the tubers quite distinct from the male parent. 
It stands well in beds from early summer until the autumn frost, and 
bears its flowers up well against rain or any stormy weather. 
PHASEOLUS MULTIFLORUS X PHASEOLUS VULGARIS. 
For many years I have fertilised the Dwarf Bean with pollen from 
the Scarlet Runner, and have then crossed and recrossed the best selected 
hybrids therefrom. I have succeeded in getting many different varieties. 
The first break resulted in plants of the Runner type, about 3 feet in 
height, which only produced ill-formed pods, and were much too late to 
be of any real use, except, perhaps, in dry warm countries. They pro- 
duced scarlet flowers on racemes in the same way as the old Scarlet 
Runner. But with another recross from the best of the former hybrids 
I obtained three good dwarf varieties about 2 feet high, with every cha- 
racteristic of the Runner in regard to the thick fleshy pods, and flowers 
borne in long racemes. The pods are of a fine flavour. The seeds are 
small, like the Dwarf. 
In fertilising Beans great care must be taken to remove the stamens 
in order to avoid self-fertilisation. Carefully remove or cut the petals 
before introducing the foreign pollen. I find a camel-hair brush best for 
the purpose, so as not to injure the stigma. 
I find the greatest trouble is to get the hybrid Bean to assume a fixed 
character. Individual plants differ so much in the colour of their flowers 
and seeds, although the pods are exactly alike. This Bean is remarkably 
productive, and of a perpetual-bearing character. 
TacsONIA SMYTHEANA X. 
This was the result of crossing T. mollissima 2? with T. manicata ¢. 
My object was the production of a flower of a brighter colour (or even 
scarlet), which was so much wanted among the Tacsonias. Nor was I 
disappointed, for the hybrid has apparently taken its brightness of colour 
from its pollen parent, but is quite distinct from either in regard to the 
length of the tube and the habit of producing its flowers. They are 
produced in a horizontal manner from the growth, which is unlike any 
other of the Tacsonias. The foliage resembles T. manicata, but the 
petals of the flowers are inclined to incurve, which is distinct from either 
parent. 
