USEFUL GREENHOUSE PLANTS 297 



just the place for wintering tubers of Begonia, such as underneath the 

 stage of the greenhouse, where it is free from drip, or a moderately dry 

 cellar may be utilised for the purpose. Where the Begonias are few in 

 number they may be allowed to remain throughout the winter in the 

 pots they have grown in ; but in the case of a considerable quantity 

 economise the space by turning them out of the pots, freeing the tubers 

 from the old soil, and laying them thickly in a shallow box or pan, then 

 covering them with some dry mould. The size of first season's tubers 

 will vary from that of a farthing to a penny, and when these are grown on 

 the second season they yield the best results. March is a good month 

 to take them from their winter's quarters and repot. They should be put 

 into small pots at first, and shifted into larger ones as soon as required. 

 After the tubers are potted the soil should be kept slightly moist until 

 the young growth appears above ground. When too wet some of the 

 tubers will decay. The double-flowered varieties may to a certain extent 

 be increased by seeds, but particular forms cannot be propagated in this 

 way. When the seed is saved from the finest double flowers it will be 

 necessary to fall back upon the semi-double blossoms to supply the pollen. 

 Artificial fertilisation is needful to insure the production of good seed, 

 hence the progeny will be somewhat mixed. Both the single and double 

 kinds can be propagated by cuttings put in during the spring months. 

 When Begonias are used for bedding, lift them at the first sign of frost, 

 and lay them out for a few days on the greenhouse stage or in a similar 

 position to dry. The stout succulent stems will in a short time drop 

 away from the tubers, which can then be laid in boxes of soil as re- 

 commended above. 



The dwarf-growing forms of Begonia semperflorens are more grown 

 for bedding than for the greenhouse. One of the best known is Vernon, 

 which is only a few inches high. The flowers are red, while the leaves 

 become tinged with crimson of various shades, according to the season 

 and the position in which they are placed. 



An extensive class consists for the most part of varieties with fibrous 

 (not tuberous) roots, the majority of which are of considerable value for 

 the winter. Some of them have a thickened root stock, but they do 

 not produce tubers like the summer-flowering kinds. These must be 

 grown on during the summer and early autumn, and as the pots get full 

 of roots weak liquid manure once a fortnight will be helpful. To flower 

 these Begonias well a minimum temperature of 50 degrees during the winter 

 is necessary. The best of this class are Carrieri, white ; Gloire de Sceaux, 

 pink ; Ensign, rose ; Fuchsioides, bright red ; Lynchiana, red ; Paul 

 Bruant, deep rose ; Weltoniensis, pink ; and Knowsleyana, blush. The 

 winter-flowering varieties obtained by the intercrossing of Begonia 

 socotrana and other kinds form a numerous and much appreciated class. 

 After the flowering season is over they need a period of rest by being kept 

 rather dry and somewhat cooler than before. After that as spring ad- 

 vances they will, under the influence of additional moisture and a higher 

 temperature, push out young shoots freely. Taken as cuttings these 

 will soon root, and shifted into larger pots when necessary will form good 



