INTRODUCTION. - 7 



tions, will succeed to perfection in a shaded situation, if the shade is nat 

 too heavy or dense. 



Begonias raised from seed do not, as a rule, exceed about 1 foot in height 

 the first year, if planted out of doors in a fairly open situation. The second 

 season they will probably attain a height of about 18 inches, or, perhaps, 

 rather more, and will annually increase in size up to about the fourth year, 

 when they may attain a height of 3 feet or so. These figures may be taken 

 subject to considerable variation, according to the character of the individual 

 plant, the situation, and general treatment. When grown under glass, the 

 above heights will probably be exceeded considerably, especially should light 

 or ventilation not be sufficiently abundant. 



The fact that no kind of insect-pest seems to have any particular pre- 

 dilection for the Begonia is a point greatly in its favour, and one which 

 will go a long way to ensure its popularity, as it naturally renders its culture 

 so much simpler, and often less expensive. During an experience of some 

 years we have never seen these plants affected by anything but a few small 

 aphides, and on still fewer occasions Vy a little thrip on the under side of the 

 leaves. In every ca?e this was distinctly traceable to neglect or bad manage- 

 ment in some form, and the insects are always easily removeable. Red-spider 

 never seems to touch them, and so far only one kind of disease is known to 

 affect them, which is of a fungoid character, and causes the stems *r leaves to 

 assume a brown scaly appearance, and to become very brittle. This, however, 

 is directly caused by too high a temperature, with an insufficient amount of 

 ventilation, and in some cases assisted by a want of cleanliness in the house, 

 and a lack of the necessary amount of moisture at the root. Plants in the 

 open air, as well as those grown in a cool and airy structure, are never 

 affected by it. We believe this affection to be identical, or nearly so, with 

 the Gloxinia disease, and it exercises a similarly crippling effect upon the 

 growth of the plant once it has obtained a good hold. The only cure is a 

 preparation of sulphur ; but this seems to be ineffectual after a certain stage 

 has been reached. 



The double-flowering forms of the Tuberous-rooted Begonia are, in their 

 way, equally valuable with the single varieties, and quite as deserving of 

 attention ; indeed, for some purposes even more so. They are not as a rule 

 so well adapted for out-door cultivation ; but when well grown in a suitable 

 glass structure are even more beautiful and unique than the singles. On the 

 whole, the constitution of the double kinds of Begonia is not so robust as 

 that of the singles, though great improvements have recently been made in 

 this respect ; and, like most other double-flowering plants, they require greater 

 care and skill to bring them to the highest state of perfection than the single 

 forms, and in some points, slightly different treatment. On this account 

 we have thought it best to treat of this class in a separate chapter (see p. 56). 

 When really well done, in good health, and in suitable quarters, these 



