72 THE TUBEROUS BEGONIA. 







will tend to induce as early a start as may be. Maintain the soil in a barely 

 moist condition until growth has fairly commenced, then afford free supplies of 

 water. A moderate use of the syringe among the plants in the early part 

 of the day will assist them greatly, and a light sprinkle again a little before 

 closing the house on warm evenings in June and July will also be beneficial 

 before the plants come into bloom, but after this the plants should seldom be 

 wetted overhead, and any required amouDt of atmospheric moisture should be 

 supplied by damping the floor, stages, etc. The subsequent treatment, as regards 

 potting, shading, etc., is identical with that indicated in a previous chapter, 

 but the requisite temperature will at this time of the year be readily 

 maintained without resorting to fire heat, and freer ventilation may be afforded 

 with benefit, remembering only that in all cases it is desirable to keep the house 

 somewhat close for a week or so after re-potting has taken place. Night air, if 

 given only at the apex of the roof, is very beneficial to these Begonias during 

 warm or sultry weather, and induces a sturdiness that cannot be attained in 

 houses shut up closely at night, besides being to a great extent a preventive 

 of damp. 



MANAGEMENT IN AUTUMN. 



IF hot-water pipes or any other heating medium exists, do not hesitate to 

 apply a little warmth during dull, cold or wet weather. Pipes are undoubtedly 

 a very great advantage in many ways, and this will be more than ever 

 evident towards autumn, when the long cool nights, decrease of solar heat, 

 and occasional wet fogs will have a very injurious effect upon plants in an 

 unheated house ; but a little heat, carefully applied, will counteract these 

 influences to a great extent, and enable the plants in a well-situated house 

 to continue in good flowering condition until quite late in the year. If the 

 house is, however, not heated in any way, the best must be made of the 

 circumstances, utilising sun-heat to the greatest extent, keeping the house, 

 floors and all surfaces as dry as possible when damp is troublesome ; and a, 

 slight covering of some kind, if only letting the blind down on cold nights,, 

 will be found to make a difference of several degrees. 



Shading is a matter calling for a few remarks. Many small houses are- 

 not fitted with nioveable blinds, and though a handy man can fit one up for 

 a few shillings, yet there are many cases where such a convenience cannot 

 well be had. As a matter of fact, trade growers very seldom go to the- 

 expense of blinds, and some of the finest examples of not Begonias only, but 

 many other plants as well, are grown in house's where the only shading ever- 

 employed is a little whitewash. Indeed, we have never in any single instance^ 

 seen moveable shading used in any market nursery, and without doubt 

 these establishments turn out the most perfectly grown and finished pot plants- 

 of all kinds that are to be seen anywhere. This whitewash shading, though 

 a very simple and useful expedient, is not nearly so good as a moveable blind.. 



