BEGONIAS 277 



mas. While not to be compared with Cincinnati in appearance, 

 and growing only about 10 in. in height, it makes- a pleasing pot 

 plant and, of course, as a house plant, it outlasts the Cincinnati. 

 It is in flower when you put the cuttings in the sand, and keeps it 

 up until you throw some of the old plants out. As a bedder it has 

 no equal, whether kept in the hot sun all day or in shade where a 

 Geranium or Petunia would refuse to flower. 



You can root cuttings at any time of the year and please the 

 customers with 4- or 5-in. pot plants during the Winter months, 

 particularly those who can't afford to spend two, three or five dol- 

 lars. Whoever gave it its nickname made a good job of it. I con- 

 sider it a plant every retail grower should handle, and as a Begonia 

 of importance for the smaUer grower I would want to place it at 

 the head of aU others. 



For plants for Easter, at which time it usually is just full of 

 flowers, propagate in December and if convenient carry in a 55-deg. 

 house; shift the small stock and give full sunlight. If your plants 

 are rather small by Easter, take three or more and make them up 

 in 8-in. bulb pans. For bedding purposes root cuttings from Janu- 

 ary on ; if you want extra good plants give them the final shift about 

 April 15 and plunge the pots up to their rims in a hotbed, allowing 

 just a little space between them. For bushy 5-in. pot plants for 

 Christmas, grow on some of your late propagated bedding stock and 

 keep it shifted during the Summer months; such as you have left 

 over after Christmas can be divided if you wish. 



Tuberous-rooted Begonias 



These are the handsomest of all the many Summer-flowering 

 Begonias, whether wanted for indoor or outdoor culture, but as 

 yet they are entirely overlooked by many florists whose retaU trade 

 would appreciate them. 



The man who doesn't grow at least a few plants of tuberous- 

 rooted Begonias misses a whole lot. Not to grow them because they 

 don't do weU outdoors as bedders is a mighty poor excuse, for they 

 are first among the plants to keep your show house or store attrac- 

 tive all Summer, and no other plant is of easier culture or gives 

 you less trouble. Anyone can grow them when he has flowering 

 bulbs to start with. 



For early flowering you plant the bulbs, or rather tubers, about 

 January, in flats of sandy soil, barely covering the tops. Place 

 on a propagating bench with a good bottom heat, or on the return 

 pipes, and keep fairly moist — not soaking wet. As soon as growth 

 appears, pot them up in 33^-in. pots and place in a 55-deg. house 

 on a sunny bench. Such early started ones may flower for Easter, 

 even if that day does come in April, and beautiful, attractive pans 

 can be made up by using three or five plants to an 8-in. pan. For 



