LIST OF PLANTS 89 
a sheltered situation in November, and again in March 
and April for the main crop and succession. 
BEANS, FRENCH OR DwarF Kipney.—For the first 
outdoor crop sow on a warm, sheltered, sunny border in 
late April or early May, and make successional sowing's 
in June. 
BEANS, RUNNER.—Sow in an open sunny position late 
in May, so that the young seedlings may not appear too 
early to suffer damage from spring frosts. 
BrEETROOT.—The most approved time for sowing this 
crop is late in April or early in May, according to the 
locality and season. If the seed is steeped for a few hours 
in water before sowing, germination is more speedy. 
Beconia.—Different means are adopted for the propa- 
gation of these plants, owing to the sections in which 
they are divided and the divergent habit of growth. The 
tall-growing, shrubby kinds, such as B. fuchsioides, are 
readily propagated by cuttings in close, moist heat, 
inserted in pots of. sandy compost covered with a thin 
layer of silver sand. 
Tuberous-rooted kinds are most successfully raised 
from seed, but to perpetuate special sorts true to name 
it is advisable to strike cuttings in the propagating-case 
with a close atmosphere and bottom heat. 
Seed-Sowing.—Begonia seed is extremely small, 
resembling dust, and must not be covered with soil or it 
will fail to grow. Take some clean 6-inch pots, drain them 
with clean potsherds to one-third of their depth, and 
cover with a thin layer of moss. Fill up to within 2 inch 
of the rim with equal parts loam, leaf-mould, and silver 
sand that has been sifted through a 4-inch sieve, press it 
down slightly, and make the surface level and smooth. 
Let it have a good soaking with a*fine-rose watering- 
