206 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



desired height, so as to regulate the flow of the sap, and induce the 

 formation of lateral branches, upon which the flowers are produced. 

 The stronger shoots should be supported by neat stakes, and tied 

 out, so as to accommodate the side shoots which are to produce the 

 flowers. 



Managed in this way they form fine bushy plants, commence 

 blooming in October, and continue in flower till March, or even 

 later, if kept in a temperature of 50° or 55°. A second lot of 

 cuttings should be got in about the beginning of July, and treated 

 as the first, except that after the second shift, which they should 

 receive in September, they may remain in eight-inch pots till 

 February. During winter they should occupy a situation near the 

 glass, where the temperature may average from 50° to 60°. Early 

 in February a portion of the plants may be shifted into thirteen-inch 

 pots, after which a slight increase of heat will be essential to their 

 well doing ; but when subjected to a high temperature at this early 

 season, they should receive all the light that it is possible to give 

 them. As the plants progress in growth, they must receive attention 

 in the way of stopping and tying, and when the pots become full of 

 roots they should be watered frequently with clear manure. 



The remainder of the plant*, if allowed to remain in their winter 

 pots, and encouraged with a slight increase of temperature, will 

 flower at an earlier period than those which occupy larger pots, or 

 they may be left in a cool place until the middle of March, and then 

 shifted to form a succession to those shifted in February. This 

 Begonia may be removed to a conservatory when in flower, where it 

 will continue to produce a constant succession of blossoms during 

 several months ; but unless the conservatory is treated something 

 like an intermediate house, it will be necessary to place the plants in 

 the warmest corner, and where they will not be exposed to currents 

 of cold air ; a situation where they can receive abundance of light, 

 without being exposed to the direct rays of the mid-day sun, will be 

 necessary in order to have the flowers well coloured. After the 

 blooming season is over, the old specimens may be thrown away, to 

 afford space for young plants, which bloom more freely and produce 

 fine trusses. 



The soil best suited for this Begonia in all its stages is equal 

 parts turfy loam, peat, and well decomposed cow or horse manure. 

 The peat and loam should be carefully broken, and used in as rough 

 a state as the size of the shift will allow ; the dung should be care- 

 fully mixed with sharp sand previous to being mixed with the peat 

 and loam ; this tends to thoroughly separate any lumps, which other- 

 wise would be sure to form a harbour for worms ; the quantity of 

 sand should be regulated according to the nature of the loam and 

 peat, enough being added to secure perfect drainage, as this Begonia 

 is somewhat impatient of stagnant moisture about the roots. 



