BALSAM BEGONIA, TUBEROUS-ROOTED 219 



hurricane to injure them. When grown in pots throughout, the chief 

 points are to shift them often in the early stages, to promote free 

 growth in every reasonable way, and to cease shifting when they are 

 in pots sufficiently large to sustain the strength of the plants. Gene- 

 rally speaking, 8-inch pots will suffice for very fine Balsams, but 

 lo-inch pots may be used for plants from an early sowing. They 

 will probably not show a flower bud while increased pot room is 

 allowed them ; but as soon as their roots touch the sides of the pots 

 the bloom will appear, and the work will be completed. It is occa- 

 sionally the practice to lift plants from beds when pot Balsams are 

 wanted, and it has the advantage of being the least troublesome 

 method, and, moreover, we see exactly what we shall have, because 

 the plants are lifted when the flowers show. 



BEGONIA, TUBEROUS-ROOTED 



Begonia tuberosa. Half-hardy perennial 



BEGONIAS are generally grown for greenhouse and conservatory 

 decoration, and for this purpose are particularly useful, as their 

 graceful habit and beautiful colours form a pleasing contrast to other 

 plants, and greatly add to the attractiveness of the greenhouse. When 

 grown in pots, the soil required is a compost of sandy loam, leaf- 

 mould, and well -rotted manure. The bulbs should be allowed to 

 remain during the winter in the same pots in which they have 

 bloomed, and when they begin to ' start ' in the spring, they should 

 at once be re-potted in a small-sized pot, and almost on the surface 

 of the soil. Shift into larger sizes as the increased growth may render 

 necessary, and at each operation insert the bulb a little deeper until 

 the crown is covered. The plants do much better if they have been 

 allowed to c start ' naturally, instead of being forced into growth early 

 in the spring. It is desirable always to have a fresh stock of plants 

 coming on to take the place of the older ones, and as seed can now 

 be obtained which has been saved from the finest named flowers, 

 there is every probability of obtaining some striking novelties amongst 

 a batch of seedlings at least equal in merit to named Begonias sold 

 at high prices. Seed may be sown during the months of February 

 and March, and the seedlings will then, with generous treatment, 

 come into flower in June and July, and make fine healthy plants 

 during the autumn, to be ready for early blooming again in the 



