2i8 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



TUBEROUS BEGONIAS. 



OMPARATIVELY few persons who cultivate flowers are acquainted 

 with tuberous begonias ; a still smaller number know their merits 

 and the ease with which they may be grown. If they were better 

 known they would be sure to grace the borders of many more gar- 

 dens than they do now, for they never fail to elicit praise from every 

 beholder. As the name implies, their roots are tuberous, and may 

 be dried off during their season of rest, which is in the winter. They 

 may be gradually dried off after flowering. When the stems have nearly dried, 

 they may be cut to within half an inch of the bulb ; the soil should then be 

 shaken out, the bulbs spread in a warm, shady place until the roots are dry, 

 when they may be removed and the bulbs packed, right side up, in dry soil. 



In March or April they may be planted in pots in the greenhouse, in May 

 in cold frames, or in the open ground in May or June. If grown in the green- 

 house, the pots should be one-half inch larger than the bulbs. Keep the pots 

 in a warm and rather dark place until they make some root-growth before the 

 top grows. Keep the soil moist, but not water-soaked. Gradually inure them 

 to the light, in a temperature of 60°. As the plants grow and the pots fill with 

 roots, they may be shifted into larger pots as often as needed until they com- 

 mence flowering, when they should remain undisturbed. Begonias do not 

 thrive if kept too dry, neither will they bear too much wet. Too much moisture 

 — particularly in cloudy weather — will cause them to damp off at the surface of 

 the ground, which destroys the bulbs. If to be grown in frames, a rich soil is 

 requisite to success. That made from sods and manure composted a year is 

 most suitable, and in it they will thrive and well repay the outky. Plant the 

 bulbs eight inches apart, just covering the crowns. Cover the frames with 

 sashes, tilting them up on one side from two to three inches, giving them a thin 

 coat of whitewash to keep off the direct rays of the sun. Water when needed, 

 which will be about once a week. For growing outside, a soil like that recom- 

 mended for frames is best, but in the absence of this, good border soil will 

 answer if a heavy coat of well-rotted manure is spaded in. Plant in the same 

 manner as in frames. Begonias grown in the greenhouse are more liable to be 

 attacked by insects, and, from a lack of good ventilation, are apt to damp off. 

 Grown outside, the plants are more sturdy, with short petioles and peduncles. 

 The flowers are smaller, but of good substance. From being exposed, they are 

 often injured by excessive rains, while, on the contrary, continued dry weather 

 and hot sun will burn them. In frames they grow more luxuriantly, producing 

 larger flowers, with longer petioles and peduncles, and more flowers are pro- 

 duced, which last longer than those grown outside, or in the greenhouse. A 

 frame of begonias, when well grown and full of bloom, is a grand sight. 



These beautiful plants are^also easily grown from seed, and any one having 



