HEHES, TUBERS AND BULBS. 313 



variegated leaves. The Differibachias are of a more stocky growth than 

 the Caladiums, the large leaves springing from a central fleshy stem, 

 which in some species is six to eight feet long. This genus possesses a 

 very poisonous acrid juice, and the propagator should bear this in mind 

 when dividing the plants or removing the leaves. The Antfiuriums are 

 perhaps the most showy of the family, on account of the immense size 

 of the bract-like spathe, which bend backward instead of folding around 

 the spadix, as in the common Calla and others. All members of this 

 family are moisture-loving plants, and need a copious supply, especially 

 when growing rapidly. Propagated by seed, and by divisions of the 

 corms, or the naturally produced offsets. Some of the genera throw off 

 small tubers in large numbers, others few ; but on all old and strong 

 tubers, small buds may be found which may be cut out when the plants 

 are at rest, and if placed in gentle heat will usually produce roots from 

 around the crown or eyes. Seeds of the Calla will usually produce 

 blooming plants under favorable conditions in a twelvemonth, but for 

 those of some of the other genera, two to three years are required from 

 seed to obtain even plants of moderate size. 



Begonlacecv (Begonia Family). A small family, and only one genus 

 in cultivation, and that the Begonia ; but of this there are at least three 

 hundred species and an innumerable number of garden hybrids and 

 varieties. The Begonias are mostly succulent herbaceous or somewhat 

 woody-stemmed plants, with unequal-sided leaves, which no doubt sug- 

 gested the common name of u Elephant's Ear." In some of the species 

 the roots are very thick and fleshy, in others, distinctly tuberous. The 

 flowers are usually showy, sometimes of enormous size, and of various 

 colors white, rose, scarlet, yellow, and all intermediate shades. Seeds 

 minute, but produced in great abundance. One species, the _B. soco- 

 trana, has an herbaceous annual stem, at the base of which small bulb- 

 lets are produced, and these should be kept dry during the summer 

 months and forced into growth during the winter. All the Begonias are 

 of easy culture, thriving in a warm greenhouse. Keadily and rapidly 

 propagated by seed, and by cuttings of the stems and leaves. The mi- 

 nute seeds should be sown on the surface of light soil or pulverized 

 charcoal and moss, and not covered with soil, but the boxes or pans 

 covered with a pane of window glass or a common bell glass. Water 

 should be given freely and often through a fine rose syringe or atomizer, 

 and the temperature kept at about sixty degrees, or slightly above. 



Boragtnacece (Borage Family). Mostly rough, hahy, annual and 

 perennial herbaceous plants. Some, like the common Comfrey (Sym- 

 phytum), with thick fleshy roots containing a mucilaginous juice. T.he 

 genera most highly valued are AncJiusa, Mcrtensia (Lungwort), Heliotro- 

 pium (Heliotrope), Myosotis (Forget-me-not), and Symphytum (Comfrey). 

 The different species and varieties of the Anchusa and Symphytum are 

 usually propagated by division of the clumps or cuttings of the roots, 

 and the others by seeds or cuttings of the tender shoots. 



