BESONIA. 217 



Begonia. 



Since the publication of the last edition of this work, an 

 entirely new race of Begonias has, through the untiring 

 energy of the florist, come into existence. This result has 

 been obtained mainly through hybridising B. BoUviensis, B. 

 Vdtchii, and B. Sedenii. From these three kinds have been 

 obtained some very beautiful forms, which have again been 

 re-crossed, until we have arrived at a standard of excellence 

 which it will be difficult to surpass. This novel strain 

 belongs to the tuberous-rooted section of the genus. The 

 varieties being so numerous it is impossible to describe them 

 all here ; we have, therefore, inade a selection of the most 

 distinct and desirable kinds. As greenhouse flowering plants 

 they are unsurpassed, as they can be had in flower from early 

 spring to late in the autumn. For bedding-out purposes 

 they will be found very useful, standing well in exposed 

 positions where other flowering plants have been known to 

 fail. These tuberous-rooted kinds require difierent treat- 

 ment to other Begonias. After the plants have done flower- 

 ing they should be allowed to go to rest, and the tubers be 

 wintered in a cool house. For exhibition purposes or early 

 flowering the tubers should be potted, and started in a little 

 warmth in January, whUe for greenhouse culture or bedding 

 purposes the month of April will be soon enough to start 

 them. 



The compost required for their successful cultivation is 

 good fibrous loam and leaf mould, with coarse sand added. 



B. Acme. — A very distinct high-coloured variety. Flowers 

 purplish carmine, good habit. 



B. Anemonmflora plena. — This is a very pretty double 

 variety, with rose-coloured flowers. 



B. BoUvie7isis. — ^A very desirable and distinct species, 



