DECORATIVE PLANTS 39 
repot it annually. Use soil consisting of equal parts of 
well-decayed barnyard manure, garden soil, and sand. If 
it is desired to limit the size of the plant, it should not be 
repotted so often; it should be given plenty of moisture 
and an occasional top-dressing of manure. The leaves 
must be washed or sprayed frequently. 
New plants may be rooted from the tops or branches 
of old ones in the following manner: Select a good 
branch with several leaves and remove a ring of bark 
just below the lowest leaf. Split a small flowerpot 
lengthwise and place it round the branch. Tie the parts 
of the pot together and fill it with sphagnum moss or 
fibrous soil. Keep the soil moist until the branch is 
thoroughly rooted, when the top with the roots may be 
removed and potted. 
BEGONIAS 
Begonia rubra is very easily grown, either in school 
orat home. A strong plant kept in partial sunlight will 
bloom continuously for several years in succession. Keep 
the soil moist and the leaves free from dust, but do not 
spray the plant more than is necessary to keep it clean. 
It will do well in a low temperature but must be kept 
away from drafts. 
The soil for Begonia rubra should be porous. A good 
compost is made of equal parts of fibrous loam, leaf mold, 
and sand well crushed and mixed but not sifted. A 
little charcoal added to the soil will help make it porous 
and will benefit the plant. 
