114 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



TUBEROTTS EOOTED BEGONIAS EOE THE FLOWER 



GARDEN. 



BY W. BRADBUET. 



UBEROUS rooted Begonias, of whicli there are now a large 

 number ia cultivation, constitute an elegant and most 

 valuable class of summer flowering plants. They are all 

 of free growth, very distinct in character, and under 

 favourable conditions flower very freely. Until some 

 five or six years since, yvhen Begonia hoUvionsis was introduced, there 

 were but few kinds with tuberous roots, and these were of but 

 little value from a decorative point of view, but since that time, 

 thanks to the enterprise of the collector and the skill of the 

 hybridist, an immense number all possessing more or less merit- 

 have been introduced. It was not, however, until after the intro- 

 duction of the two comparatively hardy species, JB. Veitchi and B. 

 rosceflora, that they received the attention tliey so well deserve, for 

 these were so distinct in character, that they made a lasting im- 

 pression, and owing to their comparative hardiness received some- 

 thing more than an ordinary degree of attention from cultivators of 

 all classes. Since these fine species were distributed, their pollen 

 has been freely used in the fertiHzation of the more tender kinds 

 from warmer latitudes, and the result is a race of varieties of great 

 beauty, and much hardier than the begonias to which we had pre- 

 viously been accustomed. Indeed, begonias have so long been 

 regarded as stove plants, that no little difficulty has been ex- 

 perienced in convincing cultivators that they succeed most satis- 

 factorily not only in the greenhouse but in the flower garden also. 

 It is to the latter point that I am now most anxious to direct the 

 attention of my readers, for although they do not produce a blaze 

 of colour like geraniums, verbenas, or the more brightly-coloured 

 leaved plants, they are, from their distinctiveness and beauty, well 

 suited for choice beds in rather secluded situations. 



The tuberous begonias are beginning to make new growth, and 

 the present moment is favourable for purchasing. They will 

 doubtless come to hand in small pots, and as it is important to give 

 them every possible encouragement, place when received in a cool 

 pit or frame near the glass, and as soon as the pots are well filled 

 with roots, shift into five or six-inch pots according to the size and 

 vigour of the plants. After they are shifted they must be still kept 

 in the pit, for if placed in a high temperature the growth will be want- 

 ing in firmness, and the plants will be unfit for the flower garden ; for 

 if drawn up in heat the least unfavourable weather is sufficient to 

 spoil their appearance for a considerable time. When they are 

 repotted, use a rather ricli compost, such as a mixture of turfy loam, 

 leaf-mould, and silver sand, and as soon as they are nicely established 

 supply them liberally with water. 



A rather shady situation should be selected for the bed, as they 

 grow more freely in a partial shade than when fully exposed to the 

 sun throughout the day. But beds under trees must not be filled 



