DECORATIVE PLANTS 39 



repot it annually. Use soil consisting of equal parts of 

 well-decayed barnyard manure, garden soil, and sand. If 

 it is desired to limit the size of the plant, it should not be 

 repotted so often ; it should be given plenty of moisture 

 and an occasional top-dressing of manure. The leaves 

 must be washed or sprayed frequently. 



New plants may be rooted from the tops or branches 

 of old ones in the following manner : Select a good 

 branch with several leaves and remove a ring of bark 

 just below the lowest leaf. Split a small flowerpot 

 lengthwise and place it round the branch. Tie the parts 

 of the pot together and fill it with sphagnum moss or 

 fibrous soil. Keep the soil moist until the branch is 

 thoroughly rooted, when the top with the roots may be 

 removed and potted. 



BEGONIAS 



Begonia rubra is very easily grown, either in school 

 or at home. A strong plant kept in partial sunlight will 

 bloom continuously for several years in succession. Keep 

 the soil moist and the leaves free from dust, but do not 

 spray the plant more than is necessary to keep it clean. 

 It will do well in a low temperature but must be kept 

 away from drafts. 



The soil for Begonia rubra should be porous. A good 

 compost is made of equal parts of fibrous loam, leaf mold, 

 and sand well crushed and mixed but not sifted. A 

 little charcoal added to the soil will help make it porous 

 and will benefit the plant. 



