^o PLANT CULTURE 



As plants for dwelling rooms the Azaleas last well and are highly 

 decorative and desirable. Give them sufficient water, keep them 

 well into the daylight by having them near the window, and if 

 possible the atmosphere should not be warm and dry. It is the 

 hot and dry condition of dweUing rooms that causes the flowers 

 to fade quickly. 



Propagation. Most of the Azalea stock previous to quaran- 

 tine 37 was imported, but of late years some progress has been 

 made in this country in propagating on a commercial scale. It is 

 propagated by grafting, layers and cuttings. 



BEGONIA. This genus is a deservedly popular one, as it 

 possesses numerous species and varieties, useful either as greenhouse, 

 window or bedding plants. (For sorts used as bedding plants, see 

 pp. 177 and 282). Nearly all of them will grow in a wide range of 

 soils. Two parts loam and a third of equal parts decayed cow 

 manure and sand will be found to answer the requirements of most 

 of them. 



The Tuberous-Rooted Section behave grandly in some 

 parts of the country when planted out. They should be planted in 

 the shade and given a soil rich in leafmold. In the warmer localities 

 they do not thrive. The tubers are wintered much in the same 

 way as those of Caladiums or Gloxinias. Young plants are raised 

 from s^ed in Spring, but they bloom late. They are also excellent 

 for Summer decoration of the conservatory. 



Fibrous-rooted Sorts. The fibrous-rooted sorts require plenty 

 of light, fresh air and good soil consisting of three parts of loam, 

 one part well-decayed manure and one part sand. Examples of 

 fibrous-rooted Begonias are B. semperflorens, B. fiichsioides, B. iii- 

 caniala, B. foliosa, B. albo-picla, B. pcltata, B. Scharffiaiia, B. Du- 

 chartrci, B. Haageana, B. melallica, B. sanguinea, B. nitida, B. 

 coccinca, B. argenteo-guUata, B. macidala, B. Thiirstonii, B. phyllo- 

 maniaca and 5. President Carnot. Cuttings are taken of these sorts 

 in the Spring for obtaining good plants for Winter bloom. 



Rhizomatous Sorts, Includes Rex. Most of the rhizomatous 

 sorts are grown for their exquisite foliage. Their requirements are 

 much the same as for the fibrous-rooted kinds. The following species 

 are commonly seen: B. Rc.x, B. spcculata,B. goegocnsis, B. ricinj/olia, 

 B. heracleifolia, B. Feaslii, B. manicata. 



Rex Begonias, Leaf Cuttings of. After the rush of propa- 

 gating the soft-wooded plants in the Fall, the cuttings of the Rex 



