CULTIVATION IN POTS. 51 



without any admixture whatever. There is not the least doubt that a 

 loamy soil affords more substance to the plants, and develops a dwarfer, 

 sturdier growth than lighter stuff, as well as prolonging the flowering period 

 considerably, although the plants are longer in "getting hold" of, or rooting 

 out thoroughly in such material, and require, perhaps, more careful culture 

 to induce them to do well in it. But once a good Begonia is fairly rooted 

 and established in a firm but porous soil, consisting principally of loam, it 

 developes in a substantial staple of this kind a sturdy and branching habit r 

 and a freedom and fineness of flower, to which plants loosely potted in leaf-soil 

 or peat cannot for a moment compare. 



OPEN STAGES WATERING " DAMPING," ETC. 



WHEN fairly in growth, the plants must be removed from the bottom heat, 

 and transferred to a more airy position. As a rule, Begonias for ordinary 

 decorative purposes, for bedding, or the like, do better on an open stage- 

 made of laths or boards placed a slight distance apart, so that a current of 

 air, or rather a gentle movement, can take place all round and between the 

 plants. But in the case of those intended to be grown on to a large size, 

 for specimens, etc., a more vigorous though not so firm a growth takes place 

 if they are afforded a position,- not on, but slightly elevated above (by means- 

 of inverted pots, or the like) a bed of damp spent hops or coco-nut fibre,, 

 preferably the former, and of course in a genial temperature. Very forward 

 plants, again, for early flowering, will do better on a high shelf close to the 

 glass than anywhere else, and thus placed we have, over and over again, had 

 plants literally droopping down with fine blooms all round. "Watering must 

 of course be most carefully attended to under these conditions. "When the 

 plants are advancing into bloom, they appear to prefer a place on an open 

 stage to a solid bed of any kind, the free circulation of air thus afforded 

 not only inducing a very floriferous condition, but causing the blooms to last 

 longer and to a great extent obviating anything in the way of damping off or 

 decaying of the stems, which is sometimes troublesome where moisture hangs- 

 about the plants, or in dull or wet weuther. During the earlier stages of 

 growth they do not seem to any extent liable to damping, but after they 

 attain a considerable size a single drop of water remaining on stem or leaf 

 during the night, or at any time for more than two or three hours, will often 

 set up decay, which will spread until the entire branch is destroyed. The only 

 way to prevent this occurring is to keep the atmosphere of the house con- 

 stantly on the move, by means of a gentle warmth in the pipes during dull 

 or wet periods, and also on cool nights, especially towards autumn, when the 

 nights get long and often foggy; at the same time afford abundant ventila- 

 tion, whenever safe, avoid wetting any part of the plants, and also restrict 

 the amount of atmospheric moisture during the latter part of the day. 



On the whole, Begonias prefer a house naturally somewhat dry, to one of a. 



