SECOND WEEK IN AUGUST 



formed and stained flowers instead of the pure white 

 trumpets which make such an effective centre to a group of 

 other flowers. 



Tuberous begonias are now very effective in the conserva- 

 tory, especially the double-flowered varieties, and these 

 can now be grown from seed for next season, even without 

 artificial heat. In fact, the seedlings so raised are usually 

 stronger and more healthy than those hurried on in the 

 winter by fire warmth, and they make better plants the 

 following season. But it is very necessary to procure 

 the seed from an excellent source if the result is to be 

 really good. From a packet of the finest seed, however, 

 it is possible to obtain dozens of beautiful begonias, many of 

 which should produce double flowers, whilst some are sure 

 to be single ; and it is an interesting time when these seed- 

 lings open their first blossoms, for each one is different from 

 the rest, and all are lovely. The blooms, too, increase much 

 in size as the plant becomes larger, so that even a small 

 flower may become valuable as it grows, if thoroughly 

 double and of good colour. The remarkable variety in 

 shape, habit, and foliage, as well as in tint, which is one 

 of the charms of tuberous begonias, makes them specially 

 interesting ; some plants, with a drooping habit, are 

 delightful for hanging baskets in a half-shady place ; whilst 

 others, with flowers held well above the foliage, will suit 

 the more conspicuous positions on the staging of the con- 

 servatory ; and the single varieties will do well in the open 

 air, if grown in a moist rich soil, with a rather shady position. 

 Even in a window these plants are at home ; but wherever 

 they are they require careful watering, abundance of air, and 

 a certain amount of shade to do their best. They are not, as 

 a rule, troubled by blights, and the tubers are so easily kept 

 through the winter (while dormant) that these plants are 

 within the reach of many of us. But the seed, which is 

 extremely fine, should not be covered, and can be mixed with 

 a small teaspoonful of silver sand and distributed evenly on 

 the surface by means of a perforated tin (or a pepper-pot), 

 using a small shallow box for it, which should be half-full of 



285 Q 



