February, 1912 
SI TE 
There is a definite pleasure in raising such Begonias as these oneself 
Clarkei, B. Davisi, B. Pearcei, B. rosaeflora and B. Veitchii. 
There are also the semi-tuberous Begonias (hybrids between 
tuberous-rooted and fibrous-rooted species), such as the 
varieties known as Winter Cheer (carmine) and Julius 
(rose). The beautiful pink Gloire de Lorraine is the love- 
liest Winter Begonia, having attractive foliage and pro- 
ducing hundreds of flowers. Moreover, it can stand a 
temperature as low as 58 degrees in Winter, and is one of 
the best Begonias grown for 
use in hanging baskets. This 
variety needs plenty of 
water. Of the Rex Begonias 
(those raised for their fo- 
liage, having, as they do, in- 
conspicuous flowers), one 
may recommend the follow- 
ing varieties: Grandis 
(bronze), President Carnot 
(silvery white), Surprise 
(deep bronze and silvery 
rose), The Mystery (red 
and green with silvery edge), 
and the Van-der Hyde (mot- 
tled green and white). Of 
the flowering Begonias, the 
following are very attrac- 
tive: Alba picta (narrow, 
green leaves spotted with 
white, and white flowers in 
clusters), Argentea Guttata 
(bronze leaf marked with 
silver, and white flowers), B. McBethii (finely-cut foliage 
and pure white flowers), B. Metallica (bronze foliage and 
white flowers), Margurite (foliage resembles B. Metallica, 
but flowers are light rose color), Zebrina (white-veined 
dark-green foliage and light pink flowers), and B. grandi- 
flora erecta cristata (Bearded Begonia). Then there are the 
Wax Begonias (B.semperfloreus ), which bloom continuously. 
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The Begonia will ever remain one of the loveliest plants for both indoor 
and for outdoor culture, blossoming, as it does at all seasons 
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from seed, either to adorn the window garden or the outdoor beds 
HEN Heliotrope seed is planted in February it will 
produce plants large enough by early Summer for 
bedding outdoors. Heliotrope seed requires a soil that is 
just moist, and never wet or completely dry. After sprin- 
kling the seed over the surface of the flat, sprinkle over it a 
light layer of fine white sand. In twenty days the seed 
should germinate. Although there are many excellent va- 
rieties of the Heliotrope, there is no variety more satisfac- 
tory than the old-fashioned 
lilac - colored Peruvianum, 
which is exceedingly fragrant 
and floriferous. 
CELERY FROM SEED 
NE of the readers of 
this department requests 
information regarding Celery 
raising from the seed, and as 
this will prove of interest to 
many, the following hints for 
this culture are here given; 
February will be the proper 
month in which the amateur 
vegetable gardener may es- 
say Celery growing from 
seed. White Plume or 
Golden Self-Blanching va- 
rieties are especially recom- 
mended, and the seeds of 
these may now be sown in- 
doors in flats if a fine loamy 
soil is procurable for filling 
them. ‘he seed must be sown generously by sprinkling over 
the soil, upon which one should sift a thin layer composed 
of half sand and half pulverized soil. This should be 
firmed well with a flat piece of wood (i.e., the soil gently 
but firmly patted down). ‘The flats newly seeded require a 
moderately warm place and frequent watering, though the 
soil in this connection must never be soaked or drenched. 
