356 MANUAL OF GARDENING 
straggling growths, and repotted. Set them in a frame or in a semi- 
shaded place during summer, and see that they make a good growth. 
The wood should be well ripened in the fall. After cold weather sets 
in, keep the Indian or evergreen kinds half dormant by setting them 
in a cool, dull-lighted cellar or pit, bringing them in when wanted for 
bloom. The Ghent or deciduous kinds may be touched with frost 
without injury; and they may be kept in a cellar until wanted. 
Begonias are familiar tender bedding and house plants. Next to 
the geranium, begonias are probably the most popular for house cul- 
ture of the entire plant list. The ease of culture, great variety of kinds, 
profusion of bloom or richness of foliage, together with their adap- 
tability to shade, make them very desirable. 
Begonias may be divided into three sections: the fibrous-rooted 
class, which contains the winter-flowering, branching kinds; the rex 
forms, or beefsteak geraniums, having large ornamental leaves; the 
tuberous-rooted, those that bloom through the summer, the tuber rest- 
ing in the winter. 
The fibrous-rooted kinds may be propagated by seed or cuttings, the 
latter being the usual method. Cuttings of half-ripened wood root 
easily, making a rapid growth, the plants flowering in a few months. 
The rex type, having no branches, is propagated from the leaves. 
The large mature leaves are used. The leaf may be cut into sections, 
having at the base a union of two ribs. These pieces of leaves may 
be inserted in the sand as any other cutting. Or a whole leaf may be 
used, cutting through the ribs at intervals and laying the leaf flat on 
the propagating bench or other warm, moist place. In a short time 
young plants having roots of their own will form. These may be potted 
when large enough to handle, and will soon make good plants (Fig 125). 
Rex begonias usually grow little during winter, and they should 
therefore be kept fairly dry and no effort made to push them. Be sure 
that the pots are well drained, so that the soil does not become sour. 
New plants — those a year or so old — are usually most satisfactory. 
Keep them away from direct sunlight. An insidious disease of rex 
begonia leaves has recently made its appearance. The best treatment 
yet known is to propagate fresh plants, throwing away the old stock 
and the dirt in which it is grown. 
