BEGONIA BENTHAMIA. 185 



Begonia, continued. 



species may be propagated by seeds, cuttings, and by 

 divisions of the tubers. The seeds should be sown early 

 in spring, and the seedlings pricked off and shifted as 

 described for the evergreen or shrubby sections. Cut- 

 tings of the young, rapidly-growing shoots, if taken as 

 soon as the plants are 4 to 6 inches high, will form good 

 tubers by fall. Cuttings made while the plants are in 

 flower rarely produce tubers of much value ; B. Bolivien- 

 sis, B. Sedeni,and B. Veitchii are particularly apt to fail 

 in this respect. The cuttings should be from 2 to 4 

 inches in length, the lower cut being just beneath a 

 joint ; remove one or two of the lowest leaves and insert 

 singly near the edge of thumb-pots filled with a soil com- 

 posed of about equal parts sand, leaf-mold and loam. 

 Place in a cool, shaded position, applying water only to 

 prevent flagging. Dividing the tubers is an unsatisfac- 

 tory method of propagation, except in the case of B. 

 Socotrana. The tubers should be cut before active 

 growth begins, so that each part shall have an eye or 

 crown. They are then treated as separate tubers. Be- 

 gonias which have not been improved are most easily 

 and rapidly propagated from seed ; the named or im- 

 proved varieties are best increased by cuttings. 



Belamcanda, including Pardanthus (Blackberry Lily). Iri- 



dacecs. 



Seeds, division, and cuttings of young growth. The 

 Blackberry Lily (B. Chinensis) propagates freely by divi- 

 sion and by seeds. 



Bellflower. See Campanula. 



Bellis (Daisy). Composites. 



Increased by seeds, which should be sown in early 

 spring. By division after flowering, each crown making 

 a separate plant. The soil must be pressed firmly about 

 them. 



Bellwort. See Uvularia. 

 Bengal Quince. See ^Egle. 

 Bent Grass. See Agrostis. 

 Benthamia. Cornacecz. 



Propagated by seeds sown when ripe in a cool house, or 



by layering in autumn. By cuttings, and by grafting on 



the dogwood. 



