220 THE CULTURE OF FLOWERS FROM SEEDS 



following spring. Sow also in July and August ; the seedlings will 

 make good young bulbs before the winter, and come into flower in 

 the following spring and summer. 



In any case, the seed should be sown in pots, in an even tempera- 

 ture of about 65, the pots being well drained, and containing a good 

 compost at the bottom, with fine sandy loam on the surface, pressed 

 down. Before sowing, sprinkle the soil with water, and sow the seed 

 evenly, barely covering it with fine earth. As the seed is always 

 a considerable time, as well as irregular, in germinating, the plants 

 should be pricked off into pans or small pots as they become large 

 enough to handle, and for some time afterwards other seedlings will 

 appear in the seed-pots and require transferring. They may be 

 shifted on as the growth of the several plants may require. Begonias 

 need more attention with reference to an even temperature during 

 this stage than at any other period. 



As bedding plants, Begonias are not nearly so much grown as they 

 deserve to be. They may be planted out in June, and remain till 

 the middle or end of October, without suffering any injury from frost. 

 In the open ground they produce abundant supplies of flowers for 

 cutting at the end of September, and early in October, when many 

 other flowers are over. The plants should be put out when they 

 show themselves sufficiently strong, and it is better to be guided by 

 the plants than by any fixed date. Let the beds be made very rich 

 with well-rotted manure and decayed vegetable matter, and for 

 Begonias this can scarcely be overdone. 



The earliest plants to flower will probably be retained in the green- 

 house, as they follow in succession the Cinerarias and Calceolarias. 

 Those that start later may be turned out as they come into bloom, 

 which will probably be in June. By deferring the planting out until 

 there is a show of bloom, a selection of various shades of colour 

 may be made, and this will greatly enhance the beauty of the beds. 

 Begonias are hardier than is generally supposed ; they need no pro- 

 tection, and require no heat, except in the stage of seedlings, when 

 first forming their tubers. 



For autumn decoration, Begonias should be taken up from the 

 beds during September and potted, when they will continue to bloom 

 in the greenhouse or conservatory for a considerable time, and form 

 a useful addition to the flowering plants of that period. 



If not required for autumn decoration, let the plants remain out 

 as long as may be safe ; then pot off, and place in the greenhouse. 

 Be careful not to hasten the drying-off of the bulbs. When the stems 



