SEED SAVING AND HYBRIDISATION. 99 



kinds can possibly do. Some beds of these dwarf erect double kinds, which 

 we have seen in Messrs. Laing's nursery, though only seedlings, presented 

 a most beautiful appearance, and* fully confirmed our previous opinion 

 of them. Being in the open air the growth is exceedingly short and stiff, 

 and the flower stems very strong; and though fully exposed to every ray of 

 sunshine, neither foliage nor flowers seem to suffer in the least, but gain an 

 unusual degree of substance and health. 



It may, perhaps, be as well to add a few words on what should almost "go 

 without saying," viz., that all Begonias intended to produce seed must have 

 been well hardened previously, and be exposed to plenty of sun and air. Soft 

 and sappy or shaded plants must not be expected to 'seed well ; in fact, they 

 will not cannot do it. Never mind the blooms going at the edges a little, 

 they are of no consequence at this stage ; it is the pods that we want. Keep- 

 ing the plants somewhat short of water greatly tends to solidify the tissues, 

 and this, with plenty of sun and air, will ensure pods that will neither drop, 

 shrivel, nor "shank off." We would rather put our seedling plants out-of- 

 doors altogether during August and September than keep them in a close, 

 dark, or shaded house. 



