Gardening for Amateurs 



201 



favourite flower is usually raised from seeds 

 sown in a warm greenhouse in January or 

 February. Sow them in boxes of fine soil, 

 and when large enough transplant the 

 seedlings into other boxes, allowing 3 inches 

 between the plants each way. Strong plants 

 will then result and should be planted out 

 in May. Seeds are sometimes sown late 

 in July, and the resulting plants will bloom 

 in advance of those sown in spring. It is 

 advisable to prick out the seedlings in 

 boxes, and keep them in cold frames for the 

 winter, although in favourable localities 

 they will withstand the winter in the open 

 garden. 



Begonia, Tuberous. This is propagated 

 by seed sown, or by cutting up the tubers, 

 in January. Sow seeds in pots or pans 

 filled with light, sandy soil, and place in a 

 warm house with a sheet of glass over the 

 top to check evaporation. When large 

 enough, prick out the seedlings in boxes or 

 pots, and grow them in a temperature of 

 about 60. They must be gradually har- 

 dened off in May before being planted out 

 in the open ground. When the roots (tubers) 

 are taken up, store them in boxes of sand 

 in a cool, dry shed for the winter, and start 

 them into growth in March. Large roots 

 can be cut in half at the same time, and 

 this will be found an excellent way to 

 increase any good varieties or special colours 

 that are required in quantity. Pot them 

 in 2-inch pots, and when growth is active 

 move them on into those 5 inches wide. 

 Transfer the plants to a cold frame in May. 

 Fibrous-rooted Begonias and the semper- 

 tlorens varieties are raised from seed, and 

 the procedure is the same as previously 

 stated. Do not allow the young plants to 

 receive a check to growth, and attend to 

 pricking out the seedlings before they have 

 time to become " drawn " in the seed pan. 



Beta Cicla variegata (Ornamental 

 Beet). This is raised from seed sown in 

 a warm greenhouse. Transplant the seed- 

 lings to small pots, and later on transfer 

 them to 5-inch pots, in which they will 

 make strong plants by June. 



Calceolaria. The time to take cuttings 

 is in September. Young shoots about 3 

 inches long are the best ; they should l>e 

 inserted 3 inches apart in light, gritty soil 



in a frame. Press the soil firmly around 

 them, and water. During the winter give 

 air on fine days, and protect from frost at 

 night. It is necessary to transplant about 

 February or the plants will become spoilt 

 through lack of space. Do not plant them 

 in their summer quarters until the end of 

 May. 



Canna (Indian Shot). Seeds of Canna 

 may be sown in January or February in a 



Showing one of the pieces from the old 

 Canna root potted to form a new plant. 



warm house, the seedlings subsequently being 

 pricked off in 2 J -inch pots ; but when a 

 stock is obtained the best way to increase 

 it is to divide the roots in March when the 

 plants are started into growth. 



Cclosia pyramidalis. The Celosia is a 

 graceful plant for the summer garden, and 

 very handsome when well grown, its plumes 

 of red and yellow showing finely. The 

 Cockscomb is a variety of Celosia and is 

 grown similarly. To have good plants to 

 !><! nut in June sow seeds in a pan in Feb- 

 ruary. Prick out the seedlings in small pots 

 \\lnn large enough, and grow them on 

 near the glass in a warm, moist atmosphere 



