STOVE AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 17 



Socotra, by Professor Baley Balfour) and the old B. Dregei. As a Win- 

 ter bloomer it is perhaps the finest of all recent hybrids. The first 

 growths made by the rooted cuttings all go to flowers, afterward some 

 growths more or less vigorous are made from the base. These make 

 excellent material for cuttings. Young plants are also raised from 

 mature leaves. The shoots should be allowed to be well above the sand 

 before being potted. The floriferousness of this Begonia may be partly 

 accounted for by the fact of its being almost without female flowers, 

 and also by the stamens producing little or no pollen. Among a large 

 number of plants I have Feen only a very few female flowers, and these 

 are, so far as noticed, only produced at the very ends of the flowering 

 stems. The pollen is produced exceedingly sparingly, many of the 

 flowers having none at all. 



Rex Begonias, Leaf Cuttings of— After the rush of propagating the 

 soft wooded plants in the Fall the cuttings of the Eex Begonias may 

 be put in the sand bed. Select the mature leaves of those plants which 

 are growing in a rather cool house. The pieces for cuttings will answer 

 all right if they be cut in a triangular shape, three inches each way. 

 The part to be inserted in the sand should end with one of the thick ribs 

 or veins which are prominent on the undersides of the leaves. From a 

 medium-sized leaf eight or ten cuttings can be got. Put them in the 

 sand to the depth of about an inch and maintain a moderately humid 

 atmosphere to prevent wilting. Place in thumb pots as soon as the 

 leaves show above the sand. The old leaves are sometimes used entire, 

 first by giving a few cuts across the principal ribs, then placing them 

 flat on damp sand or moss. The other method is to be preferred, because 

 more plants can be got from one leaf. It is equally as quick, and takes 

 up much less room on the propagating bench. So far as color is con- 

 cerned few of the newer sorts are improvements over the better known 

 kinds, such as Philadelphus, Inimitable, Silver Queen, Fire King, Mrs. 

 Rivers and Marshall!. 



BOUQAINVILLEA— There are at least five kinds in cultivation. B. 

 spectabilis is as free blooming as any, but only on large specimens. It 

 is very useful for training along the roof in the same Avay as B. glabra. 

 A season of rest, followed by severe pruning, usually induces an abun- 

 dant flowering growth. B. glabra Sanderiana differs from the tpye 

 in being smaller in the flower and more floriferous in a small state. 

 Small specimens from cuttings, rooted in the beginning of the year, will 

 bloom the following Winter; but larger plants take a couple of years to 

 develop. They should be allowed to make their growth out-of-doors, 

 either in the small or large state. There is not much to be gained by 

 planting out, as they make few roots. Plunging answers well enough, 

 with a shift in midseason, if necessary. After the plants are brought in- 

 doors the large, soft growths may be shortened, and an intermediate 

 temperature maintained until the plants are started into growth, when 

 more water and heat are given. After they have made a start, doses of 

 weak liquid manure are beneficial. When in bloom, gradually harden off, 

 or the flowers will fall in showers. 



