FreBpruaRrRy, 1908 
cee 
The Gloxinia is the most gorgeous of the tender sum- 
mer bulbs. Can be grown in a window 
For cut flowers, plant the bulbs in frames 
outdoorsin good soil, using no glass sashes for 
cover during the summer but having a cover- 
ing of laths for protection from the direct 
rays of the sun. 
Seed of tuberous begonias sown in Feb- 
ruary or March will produce plants that 
will bloom freely during the summer either 
in a greenhouse or in the open ground. Sow 
in pans or flats half filled with light soil, 
merely pressing down the seed and then 
covering the pan with a square of glass and 
a piece of paper over that until germination. 
Gloxinias, the Most Gorgeous 
A.J. Loveess, Lenox, Mass. 
AVG grown gloxinias will make the 
orchid blush. The individual flowers 
are four inches long, the colors ranging from 
pure snow white to the deepest blues, pur- 
ples and reds, through all the intermediate 
shades, with spotted varieties galore. In 
a small house, a group of gloxinias relieved 
by a few ferns will give the amateur some- 
thing for enjoyment of which he can justly 
feel proud. 
A well grown plant should produce fifty 
to sixty flowers. The many beautiful forms 
are all good, but the erect growing varieties 
are the most desirable. 
The easiest way to handle the bulbs is to 
place them on a bed of moss, in a shallow 
box with sand filled in between the bulbs to 
keep them steady. After being watered, the 
box is placed in a temperature of 65 degrecs, 
and the bulbs will soon make roots. At this 
time they must be taken from the box and 
potted up permanently, in which operation 
a little care will be required so as not to in- 
jure the young, tender growths. The bulbs 
look very much alike all over, but generally 
the hollow part is the top, and if any particu- 
lar bulb should appear to be slow in starting, 
it should be lifted and examined to assure 
one’s self that it is right side up. 
The preparation of a proper soil for the 
potting is of considerable importance if the 
best resultsare wanted. ‘The gloxinia makes 
short roots, but such masses that they read- 
ily absorb liberal food supplies when the 
roots have about filled their alloted spaces. 
THE GARDEN MAGAZINE 
A light, porous soil is required, consisting 
of one part good garden soil one-half part 
sand, one-quarter part leaf mold, or as a sub- 
stitute some dead moss chopped fine, and 
one-quarter part dry cow manure, rubbed 
or broken fine. Mix these well together, 
put a liberal amount of drainage in the pot, 
and fill it nearly full of the prepared compost 
and press lightly. Put in the bulb (which 
should by this time be well covered with 
fine roots) and press some more soil gently 
around it, finishing so that the top of the 
bulb just shows through the soil about one 
inch below the rim of the pot. Should the 
soil be dry, water it, of course, but be careful 
not to overdo, as the slightest excess of mois- 
ture will result in rotting the bulb. It may 
be several days before more water is required. 
Once a vigorous top growth starts up, water 
can be given freely as often as may be re- 
quired. Large leaves are soon develcped 
and thema little liquid manure will add to 
the luxuriance of the foliage and assist in 
the formation of flower buds. 
At this stage give water as often as the 
soil becomes dry, but never allow it to be- 
come so dry that the plant will wilt, for that 
destroys all your chances of getting a long 
succession of bloom. Never allow any 
water to get on the foliage, for it causes a 
discoloration and destroys its beauty. If 
systematically fed with manure once a week, 
the foliage should entirely cover the pot, and 
the whole plant can be used with good effect 
indoors for table decoration and in many 
other ways. 
When the floral glory has departed, place 
the pots in a sunny position, withhold water, 
and let the plants gradually die down, when 
they should be stored in a dry warm place 
until required for the next season’s display. 
23 
The double tuberous begonias are best for pot culture. 
There are many types: buy the best 
Provided a temperature of 65 degrees can 
be maintained, the bulbs can be started at 
any time from February onward, but gener- 
ally speaking, the middle of March is the 
most favorable time. It takes a much longer 
time to bring the early started bulbs into 
bloom than those started later which grow 
under more natural conditions; but these 
require constant shading from the bright 
sunshine. 
They can be raised from seed, exactly 
like begonias. 
Achimenes, the Best Basket Plant 
G. H. Hate, Seabright, N. J. 
AM an enthusiast about the achimenes. 
To my notion it is indispensable for 
summer decoration in the house, or on the 
_ The most handsome basket plants are Achimenes; can be had in flower for eight months 
