150 The Flower Garden [Chapter 



Plant out when all danger of frost is past, in muck 

 if possible, or in heavily manured loam; the more 

 freely they are watered the finer will be the growth. 

 Old bulbs should give leaves three feet or more in 

 length and correspondingly wide. 



Single specimens are fine in pots, vases, or tiles, 

 but they are really seen at their best in large clumps 

 on the lawn, or edging beds of Cannas or other sub- 

 tropical plants. 



They are easily wintered and multiply very rapidly ; 

 and, as much better effects can be obtained by plant- 

 ing largely of one variety, an effort should be made 

 to have a generous supply. Aim for a tropical luxu- 

 riance of effect whether the plants used are Cannas, 

 Caladiums, Ricinus, or all three. 



Tuberous Begonias should be started at the same 

 time as the Caladiums, Cannas, and other tuberous 

 plants. Pot singly in small pots of leaf-mould, set- 

 ting the tuber level with the surface of the earth, 

 but shaping the soil away from it toward the edge 

 of the pot that water may not settle around it. The 

 side showing a slight depression is the top. Often 

 it is difficult to determine this, in which case the bulb 

 may be laid on the surface until growth begins and 

 the fact can be determined, when it may be potted. 

 Do not keep too warm, as that induces a leggy 

 growth; a temperature of about 60 is right. 



Bed out, when all danger of frost is past, in partial 

 shade. In England it is claimed that they will stand 



