CULTIVATION IX POTS. 47 



or more of these points ; but the growth, except perhaps when in the hands 

 of a very skilful cultivator, or under very favourable conditions, is generally 

 more or less shy and weak, and the plants on the whole not nearly so 

 vigorous and bushy in habit as seedlings. 



SELECTING AND STARTING THE TUBERS. 



Ix selecting tubers, it is well to bear in mind that the largest-sized roots 

 are by no means the best as a rule, that is, of course, all being of the same 

 age. It may at first sight seem somewhat strange, but it is nevertheless an 

 indubitable fact, and one that has been proved over and over again, that the 

 forwardest and strongest plants in a batch of seedling Begonias, which of 

 course form the largest bulbs, are almost invariably characterised by a rank 

 coarse growth, accompanied by blooms of comparatively poor quality, lacking 

 in size or som3 other important point. In most cases it will be found that 

 the smaller tubers, of a firm and plump appearance, will turn out the best, 

 and these as a rule are to be preferred. It has been found almost invariably 

 the case that the finest varieties are produced among the later-flowering 

 plants, those that expand first (we are speaking of spring-sown seedlings, 

 flowering the same year) being comparatively poor, while as the season 

 advances a larger proportion of first-class flowers appear. Indeed, we may 

 venture to affirm that among any that may not bloom the first year if from 

 the same class of seed and sown at the same time, of course will be found a 

 large number of very fine varieties indeed, and no one need hesitate to pur- 

 chase a lot of ' ' unbloomed " seedlings, if known to be of a really fine strain, 

 and which had been sown in good time. 



The time for starting the tubers will depend to a great extent upon the 

 purpose for which the plants are required. If these are wanted to bloom 

 early under glass they must be started in a pretty brisk heat, putting them 

 in about the end of January or some time in February, when, if the house 

 is a light one and the situation open and sunny, they will probably com- 

 mence to bloom some time in April or Ma} 7 , according to the amount of 

 warmth they receive, and how rapidly they are pushed on. To be had thus 

 early, the tubers should be potted singly in small pots, about twice the 

 diameter (internally) of the tubers ^the sizes known as ' small sixties,' 

 3 in. diameter, being generally suitable), and plunged in a somewhat moist 

 bottom heat of 70 to 75, such as that afforded by a bed of damp coco-nut 

 fibre refuse over some hot water pipes or a hot tank. The tubers will, how- 

 ever, seldom fail to start in almost any position on a shelf or stage, whether 

 open or close, where there is sufficient warmth, but will require much more 

 care in watering for a time if standing free all round. 



To get plants to bloom in June and onwards, a start made any time in 

 March, or the first week in April, will be time enough, and in this caso 



