28 THE TUBEROUS BEGONIA. 



gress ho has made, we may mention that in 1877 he offered for sale only 

 nine Begonias, including B. octopetala and B. Frcebelii, which, as we have 

 before observed, have taken no part in the production of the magnificent 

 varieties of the present day. Sedeni, Dr. Masters, Stella, and Vivicans were 

 among the tuberous varieties, offered together with B. boliviensis and B. 

 Pearcei. The following year thirty-eight sorts were offered for sale ; but four 

 of them do not belong to the tuberous type as now recognised. The greater 

 number of these were of Continental origin, and few of them now figure in 

 collections containing the more modern improvements. Three doubles weie 

 mentioned, namely, Louis Van Houtte, W. E. Gumbleton, and Argus, together 

 with a semi-double, Notaire Beaucarne. In 1879, twelve doubles were de- 

 scribed, and ninety-six singles, including six of other species. A good 

 sprinkling of them originated in this country, including "White Queen and 

 Queen of "Whites ; but still the Continental productions were most prominent 

 in this collection. The doubles numbered twenty-two, and the singles about 

 100 in the following year, necessitating classification into different colours, of 

 which the variety even then was most wonderfuL In 1881, the double 

 varieties numbered twenty-nine, and in the following year forty-two, with a 

 corresponding increase of single -flowered sorts. At least thirty-five of the 

 double forms were of Continental origin, and even at this time they began 

 to show some of the freaks and peculiarities for which they are noted. Some 

 of the flowers mimicked those belonging to other natural orders, and a new 

 section was created for those having serrated margins to the sepals, an indica- 

 tion of a tendency to revert to ordinary foliage leaves. 



More progress seems to have been made with the single varieties in this 

 country, and six are specially mentioned as having been raised by the Messrs. 

 Cannell, including three yellow and two buff-coloured varieties, which owe 

 their origin to B. Pearcei as one of the parents. A house of 150 ft. in 

 length was set apart for them at Swanley, in 1881, and what is equally 

 interesting, a number Was planted out in the experimental garden there, and 

 which withstood the following winter, flowering well the succeeding year. 

 The double varieties numbered fifty-two in 1883, and were mostly or 

 all, as before, of Continental origin ; in 1884, they numbered sixty-five ; in 

 1885, forty-four of the older varieties, together with thirty-five new ones, 

 are described, including the beautiful late-flowering Camellia-formed, white 

 Octavie. In 1886, 112 doubles were described, including seventeen new ones, 

 obtained from France and Germany. Last year (1887), 119 doubles were 

 described. An inspection of them shows that they have mostly been derived 

 from B. Veitchii and others of that type, having broad leaves and broad 

 rounded petals ; a few have also been obtained from B. Davisii. During the 

 last year or two, Mr. Cannell has been most successful in raising double 

 varieties, and now possesses a number which mark a great stride onwards. 

 Some dozen or more of these will be offered next season. 



