120 ORNAMENTAL POLIAGE PLANTS. 



may be well to remark, in passing, that what is worth 

 doing, is always worth doing well, for these plants are 

 anything but ornamental if neglected), the soil should 

 be composed of one part sandy loam, one part peat, one 

 part leaf mould and well-decomposed manure, and one 

 part sand. During the summer season Begonias require 

 an abundance of water at the roots, and also a tolerably 

 moist atmosphere, to prevent the edges of the leaves from 

 becoming brown, which is a great disfigurement to them, 

 but in winter much less must be given. , Many growers 

 of these plants are extremely fond of using the syringe to 

 them, but as far as our experience goes, we cannot too 

 strongly condemn the practice ; they should be potted 

 early in spring, and if thought likely to suffer during 

 winter, another shift may be given them in atitumn. 

 Begonias are very easily propagated, either by stem cut- 

 tings or leaves ; in the latter case, the primary veins 

 should be slightly cut in numerous places on the under 

 side, and then they should be laid upon a cutting pot, 

 using a few pieces of potsherds to keep them pressed to 

 the sand, and very soon numerous miniature plants will 

 reward the operator. 



These plants are exceedingly ornamental, and are avail- 

 able for various situations. They form, as before remarked, 

 splendid objects in the stove, and they may be removed 

 to the conservatory or greenhouse during the summer, 

 if the direct rays of the sun are excluded. As window 

 plants and living-room plants, they are also equally at 

 home, not at all refusing to grow in a somewhat shady 

 position, and we have even seen them flourishing and 

 producing a charming effect in the open air, planted in 

 a shady rockery amongst Ferns. For an in-door fernery, 

 these plants are peculiarly adapted, the moist air neces- 



