Bseria 



( 99) 



Baltimora 



Other Species : 



ilensifolia, 3'. parvula, 1', Aug., grh., 



frutescens, 2V, Nov. , grh., wh. 



wh. virgata, 2V, Aug. to Oct., 



gracilis, 2', grh. grh., wh. 



BvERIA. 



An obscure genus (ord. Composite) of about 

 nineteen species, one only of which chrvsostorna, 

 1', summer, hardy, yellow is ever seen. Increased 

 by seeds sown in spring. The plants thrive in any 

 ordinary garden soil. 



BAHIA. 



Hardy herbaceous perennials (ord. Composite). 

 The species Janata, 6" to 15", summer, hardy, 

 yellow, likes a well-drained sandy soil. It may 

 be increased by seeds, and also by root division 

 in spring. 



3 A L.BISI A Oy/tt. LEDOCARPON). 



A genus of very ornamental evergreen shrubs 

 (ord. Geraniaceie). Verticillata, 3' to 6', autumn, 

 greenhouse, yellow (;/. Ledocarpon pedunculare, 

 Ijind), may be propagated by cuttings of fairly 

 firm shoots under a bell-glass, and also by seeds. 

 It is impatient of stagnant moisture at the roots, 

 and is not easy to grow. 



BALCONY. 



An appurtenance to the side or front of a house, 

 generally surrounded with a balustrade or railings, 

 which serve as support for climbers. Nasturtiums, 

 Convolvuluses, Passion Flowers, Sweet. Peas, etc., 

 are suitable. The sides of the balcony should be 

 lifted with long, narrow boxes after the style of 

 those generally used for windows. These may be 

 filled with evergreens in the winter, and any of 

 the many annual, or even greenhouse, flowering 

 plants in the summer, choosing bright and attrac- 

 tive subjects as much as possible. The boxes, being 

 situated near the windows of the house, may have 

 a fair proportion of sweet-smelling plants, such as 

 .Mignonette, Heliotrope, or sweet-scented Tobacco, 

 planted in them. Neatness and cleanliness should 

 ! scrupulously observed, and great attention paid 

 to \\.itering, as, owing to the plants possessing such 

 a restricted root run, any neglect with the watering 

 can will soon have disastrous effects. 



BALM. 



A common perennial herb, botanically known as 

 Melissa ofticinalis, whose leaves are possessed of 

 a st rong odour. It is sometimes used in the making 

 of claret cup, and a "tea" made by boiling it in 

 water is an old-fashioned remedy for colds. It 

 will grow in any fairly good garden soil, and may 

 be propagated by cuttings or by root divisions in 

 spring. The variegated form is a, pretty plant, 

 whose fragrance is equal to that of the type. (See 

 also Melissa.) 



BALM OF GILEAD (we CEDBONELLA 



TIMPHYLLA). 



BALSAM (ANNUAL). 



Description. Half-hardy or greenhouse annuals 

 (iiril. (ieraniacens), botanically known as Impatiens 

 Balsamina, bearing pretty, often Camellia-shaped, 



Sfrnbntrys (see 

 Hut. f nn of Seeman (see Plerandra). 

 Jiiilnnimis (nee Nut Enemies). 

 Huliiniiiim (see Dickttonui). 



flowers up the stern. There are a number of species 

 included in the genus, but the chief interest in these 

 flowers is centred in the many coloured strains of 

 garden origin. The best way to grow Balsams is 

 in pots in a greenhouse or conservatory, but they 

 may be also planted out in beds in the summer. 



Propagation. From seeds sown in February and 

 March in pans or boxes, placed in a propagating 

 frame or warm greenhouse. 



Soil. For seeds, equal parts of loam and leaf 

 mould, with a liberal sprinkling of sand. For grow- 

 ing plants, three parts loam, two parts well decayed 

 manure, and one part leaf mould, with sufficient 

 sand to keep the compost open. 



Other Cultural Points. Plants raised by sowing 

 in February will flower in Hay and June, and by 

 sowing again the following month a succession is 

 obtained. When the seedlings have developed the 

 second leaf they should be transferred to small 

 pots, and from then to the flowering stage growth 

 should be assisted as much as possible by repotting 

 before the plants become root-bound, growing in a 

 rather moist atmosphere, affording abundance of 

 light, and avoiding overcrowding. Six-inch pots are 

 suitable for the plants to flower in. but 8" are 

 necessary if fine specimens are desired. Balsams 

 appreciate good treatment, therefore, when flower 

 buds are forming, feed liberally with liquid manure, 

 and occasional dressings of some prepared fertiliser. 

 By picking the old blooms from early flowering 

 plants, and repotting, a succession of flowers may 

 be had later in the season. 



Enemies. Red Spider affects plants grown in a 

 dry atmosphere; a free use of the syringe will 

 prevent it. Aphides are troublesome pests, ar.d 

 .should be kept in check by fumigating. 



Principal Sections : 



To secure fine flowers it is necessary to grow only 

 the best strains, as the seeds of these are obtained 

 from selected plants. The following are the chief 

 sections : 



Camellia flowered, 18", producing large flowers 

 of Camellia shape. 



Miniature, 9", dwarf form of the above, well 

 adapted for bedding. 



Rose flowered, 18", large double flowers resem- 

 bling Roses. 



In all these sections there are distinct varieties 

 of different colours, including white, scarlet, and 

 lilac, some being self coloured, and others blotched 

 and striped. Seed can be purchased in collections 

 of separate colours, or mixed. 



For species see Impatiens. Balsam Apple is 

 Momordica Balsamina, Balsam of Capevi is Copai- 

 fera, Balsam tree is Clusia. For Balsamina see 

 Impatiens. 



BALSAMODENDRON. 



Greenhouse or stove shrubs (ord. Burseracese) of 

 no great decorative value. Propagation is by cut- 

 tings of matured shoots, in spring, in brisk bottom 

 heat. Soil, sandy loam, with plenty of drainage. 

 Zeylanicum, 311', summer, stove, white, now cor- 

 rectly referred to Canarium, is the only one worthy 

 of mention. 



BALTIMORA. 



A genus (ord. Composite) of annual herbs with 

 yellow flowers, of no horticultural value. Fou- 

 geria, Fougerouxia, Niehiihria, Seolospermum, and 

 Timanthea are included in its limits. 



