BULBS AND THEIR CULTUEE, 103 



until the roots have filled the soil and the leaves hare 

 started. Gradually increase the heat to sixty and to seventy- 

 five degrees. When the buds begin to form, give liquid 

 manure once a week. If properly handled, the flowers 

 will be ready to cut by Easter. 



Among the best varieties for forcing are May (Pig 

 34), Buchanan and Shakespeare. 



CHAPTER VI. 



TUBEROUS BEGONIAS. 



During the past ten years, few plants have increased 

 in public favor more than the tuberous begonia (Fig. 

 35). The plants are rapidly propagated from seed, and 

 can be grown as readily as geraniums, while for six 

 months of the year they are resting and require no care. 

 For pot or out-of-door culture they have few superiors. 

 The "tubers" can be purchased at reasonable rates, or they 

 can be grown from seed. 



PROPAGATION. 



The seeds should be planted about February 1, in 

 shallow flats or seed pans. The boxes or pans should be 

 half filled with broken crocks or other drainage, upon 

 which there should be about an inch of fine compcst, 

 com])osed of rotten sods, leaf mold and sharp sand, 

 Moisten the soil and scatter the seeds quite thickly, 

 cover with a thin layer of sifted sphagnum and fine 

 sand, using just enough to hold the seeds in place. 



To prevent the soil from drying out, cover the box 

 with glass, paper, or, better yet, long fibers of sphag- 

 num. Place out of the direct sunlight, in a moderate 

 bottom heat, with 2, night temperature of sixty degrees. 

 If glass is used, it is well to cover it with paper and to 



