INTRODUCTION. 9 



tions in yellow- flowered doubles may be said to bring this section nearly on 

 a level with the varieties of other and more common colours. As those we 

 saw last year were mostly the produce of plants only a few months old, 

 they will probably be much finer this season, for double Beponias do not, 

 as a rule, do much more than show their character the first year, and it 

 is on one and two-year-old plants that the largest and finest blooms are 

 produced. 



The Tuberous Begonia can unfortunately hardly be classed as a good town 

 plant, smoky or impure air having too often the effect of causing the yet 

 unopened or just expanding buds to drop off. Still, many of the more 

 robust and free- flowering single varieties may be cultivated with a fair 

 amount of success in all but the worst situations ; and in most suburban 

 gardens, where light and free air are tolerably abundant, very good results 

 indeed are to be obtained by the exercise of a little care and skill. To all 

 growers residing in or near large towns, however, we would strongly recom- 

 mend the adoption of seedling plants in preference to named kinds, which 

 require the most favourable conditions to ensure success. The double forms 

 are even more susceptible of the effects of an impure atmosphere than the 

 single kinds, and their culture should as a rule only be attempted where the 

 surroundings are comparatively favourable we mean as regards light, space, 

 and absence of smoke. But to enable this flower to attain the full height of 

 perfection, and develope all its grand and gorgeous capabilities, it is neces- 

 sary to transport it to some fresh and open country place, where it can 

 receive the benefit of a sweet and pure atmosphere, and clear and un- 

 obstructed light. Under these conditions it presents itself in quite a new- 

 aspect, and with even ordinary care developes a sturdiness and vigour, as well 

 as extraordinary floriferousness, of the plant itself; and a size, brilliancy 3 

 and persistency of bloom and petal as to somewhat surprise those who have 

 only seen or grown it under less favourable circumstances, and at once to 

 settle any doubts as to its rightful claim to a place in the very first 

 rank of decorative plants. 



