248 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



results if several stalks are allowed to 

 grow together. Its foliage is very much 

 like the old " Ribbon Grass," though of 

 course on a much larger scale. It should 

 be planted, in " hills," like the common 



corn, one stock not being sufficient to 

 bring out the desired eflfect. As a plant 

 to be used in the center of a group it is 

 very desirable. 



— E. Rexford in Vt'ck's Monthly. 



BEGONIA ERFORDII. 



BV VV. HUNT, HAMILTON'. 



Fig. 2332. Bkgonia Erkordii. 



'HIS is one of the pearls amongst this 

 useful and popular class of plants. 

 Its habit of growth together with its 

 free flowering propensity makes it a valuable 

 addition to the numerous varieties of Be- 



gonias known to floriculture. Even a small 

 plant of B. Erforcfii, when laden with its 

 delicate pink blossoms, is very attractive, 

 but when used as a border around some 

 taller growing variety out in the open 

 ground in summer, its beauty and adapta- 

 bility for bedding purposes, as well as a pot 

 plant, can be thoroughly appreciated. Used 

 as a bedding plant it requires a light, well 

 drained soil and, if possible, a slight shade 

 from the sun during the very hottest part of 

 the day. Begonia Vernon and Begonia 

 Ingram! are also good varieties for bedding 

 out. Being of a more upright habit and of 

 rather stronger growth, these are well suited 

 for the centre of a small bed, whilst B. 

 Erfordii is better suited as an edging plant. 

 There is no reason why this type of 

 Begonia should not become quite popular as 

 bedding plants as both the Erfordii and 

 Vernon are raised easily from seed. The 

 seed should be sown in February or March 

 in a greenhouse or hot bed and grown in- 

 doors until early in June, when the plants 

 can be put out into beds or borders after all 

 danger of frost is over. The seed requires 

 careful sowing, as it is very minute, but af- 

 ter the plants have passed the seed period 

 they are as easy to handle as almost any 

 seedling plant. These Begonias also strike 

 readily from cuttings. The plant as shown 

 in the photo is growing in a 2^ inch pot. 



