GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY PLANTS 



71 



Begonias may be put in the sand bed. Select the mature leaves of 

 those plants which are growing in a rather cool hous3. The pieces 

 for cuttings will give good results if they be cut in a triangular 

 shape, 3 inches each way. The part to be inserted in the sand 

 should end with one of the thick ribs or veins which are prominent 

 on the undersides of the leaves. From a medium-sized leaf eight 



Rooted Cutting of Rex Begonia 



or ten cuttings can be got. Put them in the sand to the depth of 

 about an inch and maintain a moderately humid atmosphere to 

 prevent wilting. Place in thumb pots as soon as the leaves show 

 above the sand. The old leaves are sometimes used entire, first by 

 giving a few cuts across the principal ribs, then placing them flat on 

 damp sand or moss. The other method is to be preferred, because 

 more plants can be got from one leaf. It is equally as quick and 

 takes up much less room on the propagating bench. 



Gloire de Lorraine Group. Begonia Gloire de Lorraine is a 

 hybrid variety resulting from a cross between B. socotrana and B. 

 Dregei. B. socotrana is an annual species, Winter flowering and 

 characterized by the production of small tubers. B. Dregei is a 

 small-leaved, semi- tuberous sort. Gloire de Lorraine is one of the 

 finest light pink Begonias on the market. From it has been de- 

 veloped several other varieties of note, namely: Glory of Cin- 

 cinnati, a form with larger flowers but of the same light pink; Turn- 



