150 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE, 
of a few of the best only, and I would add, that in the course of 
last summer I had every facility for forming a correct opinion of 
their respective merits. I will not weary the reader with tedious 
descriptions, and in giving the names, simply indicate the colour of 
the flowers. Those I shall recommend are Boliviensis, orange scar- 
let; Ohelsoni, salmon scarlet; Coral Rose, rose carmine, a dwarf- 
growing hybrid in the way of Veitchi; Dr. Masters, carmine crimson ; 
Emerande, rose scarlet, medium height; Martiniana, bright rose 
pink, dwarf; Rubens, bright orange ; Sedent, magenta rose; Vesu- 
vius, deep crimson scarlet; and Vivicans, brilliant scarlet. 
All the foregoing are well adapted for bedding and conservatory 
decoration. To have grand beds of these begonias, select a mode- 
rately open position, and sometime previous to planting, apply a 
moderately liberal dressing of well-rotted manure or leaf-mould, and 
well incorporate it with the soil. The end of May isa suitable time 
for planting, and to insure the beds being well filled, and at the 
same time afford all the plants sufficient space to become fully 
developed, put them from nine to twelve inches apart each 
way. They must have two or three liberal supplies of water when 
newly planted, should the weather happen to be dry at the time. 
Beyond this they require no further attention, for stopping and 
training are alike unnecessary. Until the period arrives for filling 
the beds, stock should be kept in a frame; to be well ventilated on 
all favourable occasions, and for a week or ten days before planting, 
the lights should be removed altogether. Plants obtained early in 
the month in small pots, should be at once shifted into five or six- 
inch pots to afford them an opportunity of acquiring strength. 
The plants intended for specimens for the conservatory, should 
be simply shifted into five-inch pots at once, and when well 
established, be transferred to six or eight-inch pots, as may appear 
necessary according to the size of the individual plants. From the 
present moment till they are coming into bloom, they can be kept 
in a frame, or in a greenhouse, as may be the most convenient. 
Liberal supplies of water will be required, and neat stakes should 
be employed for supporting the principal shoots. 
Those to which allusion is here made, are strictly herbaceous in 
character, and have tuberous roots. Those grown in pots should 
remain undisturbed until the spring; but in the case of those 
grown in the beds, the tubers should be lifted as soon as the autumn 
frosts cut them down to the ground. After they are lifted lay them 
in an airy place for a day or two, for the soil about them to become 
dry, and then bury them in dry sand and keep them ir a dry place, 
where they will be safe from frost. G. S. 
= a 
Astrers.—Amatewr.—In the production of blooms of these flowers for exhibition 
purposes, a deeply-stirred and moderately rich soil is necessary, but for garden 
decoration so rich a soil is not required. Large beds of asters are remarkably 
effective, but as they do not come into bloom until rather late in the summer, it is 
advisable to plant them in the mixed border. When planting in borders, put them 
in groups, each group to consist of three or four plants of one colour. Betteridge’s 
Quilled Asters, that are being sent out by Messrs. J. Carter and Co., of High Holborn, 
are exceedingly beautiful, and_can be strongly recommended, 
