34 THE TUBEEOUS BEGONIA. 



PROPAGATION OF THE BEGONIA, 



I BY SEEDS. 



fHE propagation of the Tuberous Begonia is effected in two ways : first, 

 by means of the seed, all new or improved varieties being obtained in 

 this way ; and secondly, by cuttings, by which method only can any 

 particularly desirable form be multiplied and kept true to name. In 

 practice, Begonias can only be propagated in anything like large numbers by 

 means of seed, for though there are some exceptions, most of the finest 

 varieties produce cuttings very sparingly. It is at all times a somewhat 

 difficult matter to induce these to root and form tubers, whereby the plant 

 is enabled to continue in existence afterwards, even when in experienced hands ; 

 while a single capsule will contain more than a thousand seeds, which, if 

 sound and good, will produce, with care, almost as many plants. "We will, 

 therefore, take the method of propagation from seed first. 



The seed of the Tuberous Begonia is so excessively fine as to resemble 

 some brown-coloured dust, or snuff, more than anything else ; and it seems 

 marvellous that such a tiny germ as each grain contains can be the 

 parent of a huge plant, four feet -or so in height, with stems as thick as 

 one's wrist, and blooms six or more inches across. Many of these plants 

 attain such a size in the course of about three years, and under favourable 

 treatment* The seed, which must, it may be premised, be obtained from a 

 trustworthy source bad or indifferent samples being not worth the trouble of 

 growing has, therefore, to be sown with the greatest care upon a level 

 surface of the finest sifted soil, or otherwise not one quarter of it will germi- 

 nate at all. A steady temperature of about 70 is also necessary to induce 

 free and healthy germination, and this should be maintained until the plants 

 become well established and sturdy. This degree of heat is in all cases quite 

 sufficient, and indeed more favourable than anything higher, and as long as 

 the thermometer does not drop more than occasionally below 65, and other 

 conditions being favourable, a vigorous and healthy growth is almost certain 

 to be maintained. It therefore follows that particularly when the seed is 

 sown early in the year, as it must be to produce flowering plants, even in 

 the late summer or autumn of the same year a house, pit or frame kept 

 at the temperature above named is a sine qud non. During June and 

 July, or even in May, as a rule, the seed will germinate well in an ordinary 



