90 THE TUBEROUS BEGONIA. 



appearance of a plant of course if these are very abundantly produced they 

 need not, and indeed cannot be of very great size ; but some of the finest 

 new varieties (single), throw such a mass of blooms of the largest size on a 

 single stem, that even three or four on a plant affords a grand appearance. 

 Begonias, the single kinds more particularly, almost invariably bloom in 

 threes, of which the centre is always a male flower, and the two side ones 

 generally female, though frequently one, and sometimes both these are male 

 also. The bid-fashioned kinds, as a rule, only produced one of these triplets 

 on a footstalk, whereas the strong-growing hybrids of the present day will 

 often throw three sets of three blooms, making nine, or occasionally even 

 more flowers on a single stalk, and these will be sometimes all expanded at 

 the same time. 



Hardiness and vigour of constitution are points of great importance, 

 particularly in kinds intended for bedding- out purposes, but unless the growth 

 of a plant is evidently weak or sickly, it is plain that no determination 

 could be come to on this point from a single inspection, as in judging at shows, 

 etc. It is the form, size, colour, and substance of the individual blooms, 

 and the habit and floriferousness of the plant that go to' make a fine 

 specimen and a good show on the exhibition table, no matter by what 

 means the result may be obtained. 



THE POINTS OF A DOUBLE BEGONIA. 



THE points of a first-class Double Begonia are more difficult to define. Size 

 * is of course desirable up to a certain point, though a well-shaped, medium- 

 sized bloom is, in our opinion, much to be preferred to a huge unshapely 

 mass of petals. Camellia, the variety illustrated on p. 89, is quite large enough. 

 Colour naturally counts largely, and the more rich, or dense, and pure 

 this is, the more valuable does the plant become. Form is a very 

 important point, but this varies so greatly that it is impossible to set up a 

 standard, or lay down any hard and fast rule. Round or circular-outlined 

 petals, well arranged and of good colour, are in most cases to be preferred, 

 but some varieties with narrow-pointed petals are very handsome. The 

 most objectionable kinds are, in our opinion, those that consist of an irregular 

 mass of crinkled petals, and yet if these in any way approach the Hollyhock 

 form they become beautiful directly. Substance of petal is of great im- 

 portance, and affords a lasting quality to the whole bloom. A good habit 

 and freedom in flowering of the plant itself are naturally very desirable in 

 this as in the single Begonia. 



HOW AND WHEN TO MANIPULATE THE BLOOMS. 



HAVING now indicated, as nearly as may be, the object to be attained, let us 

 proceed to operations. The first necessity is of course a good number and 



