302 SUPPLEMENT. 



BEGONIA GLOIRE DE LORRAINE SECTION 



The Gloire de Lorraine section of the Begonia has for one of its parents 

 an annual stemmed species with small Summer bulbils from each of which 

 a plant is formed, beginning growth at the end of Summer. This plant, 

 which is named B.Socotrana, is seldom seen in cultivation. The writer 

 was informed by the late Alex. Scott, who discovered the plant in Socotra, 

 that it grows in limestone soils. Glory of Cincinnati seems to resemble 

 Socotrana in the formation of numerous buds at the base of the young 

 plant. Both of the two popular varieties should have rather light, sandy 

 soil. It would perhaps be in keeping with the requirements of these 

 plants if a small quantity of powdered oyster shells were incorporated 

 with the soil. Cuttings should be taken early in the season, but propa- 

 gation can be continued for a considerable period, thus giving salable 

 plants of different sizes. Shade is necessary during the Summer months, 

 but it should be dispensed with during the Autumn and Winter months. 



GARDENIA. CAPE JESSAMINE 



Within recent years the Gardenia has come rapidly into popular favor. 

 Years ago this plant was altogether grown in private establishments, 

 usually in very large pots or tubs. As a rule its cultivation was not as 

 successful as it is today by the bench system, the plants being favorite 

 breeding places for mealy bug and scale insects, and except in rare instances 

 they did not pay for the trouble bestowed on them. 



The successful method of treatment accorded to this plant at the 

 present time does not differ materially from that given to Roses on benches. 

 Old plants, however, should never be grown, as they are prone to give 

 flowers with short stems, while plants propagated annually give long stems 

 and more flowers to the square foot of space. The best time to put in the 

 cuttings is from the last half of February to the middle of March. The 

 temperature of the propagating house should run from 65 to 70 at night. 

 Wood for cuttings should be selected which is moderately firm. From the 

 terminal bud to the base the cutting should be about 2^ inches long; the 

 sand should be sharp and free from impurities. In from two to three weeks 

 the cuttings will have formed a sufficient quantity of roots; they are then 

 potted in 2^-inch pots and subsequently placed in 4-inch, from which 

 size they are planted out in the benches in June. It is essential that the 

 plants be kept growing right along from the rooted cutting to the flowering 

 period. The soil best adapted to their requirements does not differ materi- 

 ally from that which is best suited to Carnations and Roses. The soil 

 should not be over four inches in depth. Exposure to light is one of the 

 main requisites. The atmosphere should be more moist than that usually 

 given Roses. Weak manure water should be given every two weeks. 

 The fertilizer known as Scotch soot seems to work wonders with this plant. 

 It is scattered on the surface of the bed once every two weeks, the quantity 

 being about a thumbpotful to every square foot of surface. However, 

 there is danger of overfeeding during dull weather. 



The first lot of flowers may be expected early in October, with the heavi- 

 est crop about the end of the year. Each plant may be expected to give 

 about ten flowers when the plants are about 14 inches apart. A southern 

 exposure is desirable to prevent rank growth and to firm the wood. Long 



