40 THE TUBEROUS BEGONIA. 



indeed, it is the opinion of some of the best growers that the sooner the 

 seedlings are pricked off the better they will succeed subsequently. Prepare 

 a sufficient number of other pots or pans in the same way as directed for 

 sowing the seed, but filling them rather fuller, so that the soil shall be nearly 

 up to the rim ; water, and let them stand until somewhat drained, then with 

 a very fine pointed dibble make a series of holes in the compost, about half- 

 an-inch apart, and with a notched dibble lift up the seedlings one by one, 

 and transplant them very carefully into their new quarters, subsequently very 

 gently pressing the soil round the roots with the point of the dibble. Be 

 careful that there is not more than an inch in depth of soil in these pans 

 at most, the rest being filled up with crocks and rough siftings ; and that 

 while so small the seedlings must not be handled, but be picked up by the 

 notched dibble, and dropped straight into the hole made for them, without 

 being touched by the fingers. This pricking off process is at best a tedious 

 and troublesome affair, but it must be done, and the sooner it is performed 

 the better the young plants seem to succeed. In nurseries where large 

 numbers of these Begonias are grown, several men are employed pricking 

 off seedlings all day long for weeks together, but' gardeners and amateurs find 

 it convenient to have a turn at it in the evening, after the rougher work 

 of the day is done, and a great many can be dealt with in this way in the 

 course of two or three hours. Unless the surface is quite moist when the 

 pots or pans are finished, give one gentle shower, just enough to settle the 

 seedlings in the soil, and do not water again until signs of dryness appear. 

 The nearer to the glass the plants are now kept the stronger they will be ; 

 admit a little air at the apex of the roof, on all fine days, up to about 

 4 p.m., and do what watering is required principally in the forenoon, so that 

 the foliage may be dry by nightfall. 



TRANSPLANTING INTO BOXES OR TRAYS. 



ONCE the young plants begin to move in the fresh soil, they will grow with 

 great rapidity in a genial atmosphere of 65 to 70, or even a little less at 

 night will not hurt them, though 65 as a rule will be found the best 

 minimum. As soon as the plants touch each other they should be again 

 transplanted into flat boxes or trays, filled with any light, rich, and rather 

 rough, or at least porous soil, with an inch or more of rough siftings in the 

 bottom for drainage. Take the plants up carefully, with all the roots and 

 a little soil round them, and press the fresh material very gently round each 

 with the fingers. Keep these rather close and warm for a few days, till they 

 commence growing again ; then admit air, expose to a moderate amount of 

 sunshine, when not too strong, and gradually inure them to ordinary green- 

 house treatment. By the middle of May they should be good sturdy plants, 

 3 inches or so in height, and fit either to pot off singly, or after being 

 hardened off in cold frames for a fortnight to be planted in the open ground. 



