THE GREENHOUSE GAY 



for the greenhouse in winter. A night temperature 

 of 45 is really too cold for them ; they are most satis- 

 factory in a temperature that rarely falls below 50. 

 Gloire de Lorraine, pink, and Turnford Hall, white, are 

 two charming sorts, that make perfect little bushes, 

 smothered in bloom. In a warm moist atmosphere 

 numerous shoots arise from the base of the plants in 

 spring, and when 2| inches long they may be taken off 

 as cuttings. They will soon form roots in sandy soil 

 in a closed case. When rooted and gradually inured to 

 the ordinary temperature of the greenhouse they are 

 potted singly into small pots, and subsequently into those 

 5 inches wide. The most suitable soil is that composed 

 of turfy soil two parts, leaf soil one part, and a free 

 sprinkling of dry, decayed manure and sand. The 

 plants must be kept in the greenhouse throughout the 

 summer, the glass being shaded and the atmosphere warm 

 and moist. All flower buds that appear should be taken 

 off until the end of September. There are many other 

 delightful winter flowering Begonias such, for instance, 

 as John Heal, Ensign, Winter Cheer, and others. They 

 have much larger and showier blooms than the two 

 already named, though not produced in such profusion. 

 These large flowered sorts are increased by cuttings taken 

 in June. Begonia semperflorens, which may be had in 

 pink, red, or white, is even more accommodating than 

 those mentioned, for it may be had in bloom all the year 

 round by raising fresh plants at different periods. Plants 



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