BULBS AND TUBEES FOR OUT-DOOE CULTURE. 73 



Benary's seedlings and are very fine varieties. B. Pearcei has 

 beautifully marked foliage and bright yellow flowers. These bego- 

 nias need the sun only part of the day and for that reason are 

 doubly valuable in the garden, where most plants require all the 

 sun they can get. 



Dig the tubers late in the autumn and let them dry off in boxes. 

 I think it does not hurt the roots in the least to let the tops freeze, 

 as the tubers are already matured and ready for their winter's rest. 

 Store them in a cool place and do not give them any water unless 

 they get too dry, in which case they would shrivel without water. 

 If the bulbs are kept moist they will decay, for they need absolute 

 rest when in a dormant state. These begonias are easily grown 

 from seed. The seedlings bloom the first year if the seed is 

 planted early enough. The seed is ver\- fine and must be lightly 

 covered and kept moist by glass or paper. 



Gloxinias can be grown ver}- finely in a cold-frame, either 

 planted out or plunged. I grew them last summer in a temporar}' 

 cold-frame with excellent success. The location should be the 

 same as for tuberous-rooted begonias. 



My frame was left uncovered during several unexpected rains 

 and showers. The first time I expected to see the foliage spoiled ; 

 but before the sun came out I put on the sash and covered the 

 glass with newspapers until the foliage was dry, and they were not 

 injured in the least. Gloxinias are easily grown from seed, re- 

 quiring the same treatment as begonias. In the greenhouse they 

 will, if started early, bloom in August or September. Mine were 

 planted in midsummer and, as there was no bottom heat, started 

 slowly and did not bloom until the following season. If the}' do 

 not bloom the first season the bulb will be of good size and easier 

 to keep over winter. The bulbs of the gloxinia require to be kept 

 dry when resting. 



Single temporary cold-frames are, I find, very convenient in the 

 garden, as they can be put on a pile of leaves or earth ; and in 

 man}- gardens this is a great advantage, more especially where all 

 the ground has to be utilized. 



Agapayitlms umhellatus is one of the few blue flowers that are 

 really blue. Some people take the Agapanthus from the pot and 

 plant it out in the border and it does well. 



Some of the summer-blooming bulbs are better kept in pots or 

 tubs ; still they can be made \cry effective in the open border. 



