268 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



when they should be brought out and placed to about two-thirds 

 of then* depth hi a mixture of fibre and leaf mould. They must be 

 placed in a gentle heat and kept moist, and in a very little time 

 pink eyes will make their appearance at the top of the conn, and 

 roots will speedily be formed. 



This is the signal that they are ready for potting. Each tuber 

 should be potted singly hi a two-and-a-half-inch or five-inch pot, 

 according to the size of the tuber The begonia thrives best in 

 soil composed of turfy peat chopped fine, leaf mould, loam and 

 sharp sand. A little charcoal may be added with advantage. 



The tuber should not be buried too deeply, but be only just 

 covered, as shown in Figure 2 of Diagram 42. Where it is 

 desired to increase the stock the tubers of choice kinds may be 

 divided with a sharp knife (see Figure 3) and be planted against 

 a ball of sand, as shown in Figure 4. 



It will be necessary at first to maintain a temperature of 

 at least 55. When growth begins freely and plenty of roots 

 have formed, repotting will be necessary especially where it is 

 desired to keep the plants in the greenhouse throughout the 

 summer. In this case the pots may be as large as eight inches 

 across the top, but a five or six inch pot is large enough for ordinary 

 purposes. By the time the first or second week in June arrives 

 the plants will be strong enough for transference to their flowering 

 quarters out of doors where it is desired to do this. 



The customary method of increasing a stock of begonias is by 

 seed-so whig (described fully in Chapter XV.). But the amateur 

 is not advised to attempt this unless he can be sure of preserving 

 a fairly high temperature until the plants are well established. 

 The seed is very fine, and is expensive ; the best double begonia 

 seed costs eight pounds an ounce, but since only a pinch is needed 

 to ensure the production of dozens of plants the ultimate cost 

 need not alarm the economical gardener unduly 



The treatment of gloxinias, which for brilliancy of colouring 

 even outclass the begonia, is very similar to that advised for 

 begonias. The bulbs are considerably smaller, however, and 

 during the season of growth it is necessary to maintain a higher 



