28 POPULAR GARDEN FLOWERS 



other growers. He will have to propagate by cuttings 

 or dividing the tubers to keep them true. He could 

 save seed of the singles perhaps, but it would not give 

 the form and colour of the parent plant. 



Cheap Begonias. Most gardeners do very well with 

 unnamed Begonias. The florist can sell these cheaper 

 than named sorts, because he has not the expense of 

 growing them separately. I open the catalogue of a 

 good florist, and I find the following : " Begonias for 

 bedding, singles, specially selected, free bloomers with 

 erect flower stalks, colours mixed, large tubers, 2s. 6d. 

 per dozen ; doubles, mixed, 45. per dozen." This is 

 quite a genuine offer, and a dozen other reliable dealers 

 would make it in slightly different words. It is perfectly 

 safe to buy these cheap mixtures so long as the florist is 

 a man of repute. 



How to Start. It is a good plan to buy the tubers 

 in March, embed them six inches apart in soil in 

 shallow boxes, and put them in a greenhouse or 

 frame. The compost may consist of two parts loam, 

 one leaf mould, and half part sand. When growth 

 starts the boxes should be placed close to the glass, 

 and water should be given when the soil becomes 

 dry. The grower will first see a thick, reddish 

 stem push up ; the leaves will form at the top of it. 

 Growth will be slow in April, but fast in May, and by 

 the end of the merry month the boxes will be full of 

 foliage. By this time the spring flowers will be over, 

 and the beds can be cleared of them. The ground 

 should be dug deeply and dressed with decayed manure 

 if poor ; but if it is in good condition, a couple of hand- 

 fuls of superphosphate to the square yard will do. A 

 hot, dry position should be avoided, as Begonias love 

 partial shade and abundance of moisture. The plants 



