THEovosia b. SHEPHERD CoMPANY’S CATALOGUE al 
Marquis de Peralta. . Throws out great clusters of leaves, which are exquisite. Edged by 
narrow bands of silver of uniform width; this borders a bright green zone mottled in silver, 
which encloses the zone proper, and which is a broad silver band about a dark-rayed center. 
Mme. De Boucg. A very distinct variety, having the entire leaf of soft rosy-mauve color, 
with very high, silky luster, and occasionally touches of silver. One of the most attractive be- 
gonias of this class. 
Constance. Broad shining, silvery zone encircling a dark olive center; ground color deep 
green, bordered with a broad bronze margin that is beautifully spotted with silver. 
Rex. A splendid old variety with very thick, large leaves. Ground color dark rich bronze, 
shaded green, with a silver center; a bright silver band. 
Queen Victoria. A beautiful light green, silvered leaf, crinkled like crepe. Small bronze- 
green center, and delicately marked with a bronze-green margin. 
Louise Closson. One of the most beautiful of the Rex class. Center of leaf rich bronze, 
with a broad band of silvery rose, finished by a wide margin of dark bronze; edge gracefully 
undulated. 35¢ to 50c each. 
Merville, Rather smallleaves; center bronze-green, splashed with minute irregular silver 
spots; then an irregular band of silver with soft metallic shadings fills the center of the leaf, ex- 
tending to the front; and last, a band of light green, and a bronze edge, both sprinkled with 
silver. 15c, 25c, 50c each; $1.50, $2 50 to $5.00 doz. 
Mrs, Shepherd’s Three Rex Begonias. 
Amethyst. A beautiful variety, with immense leaves running to a sharp point; ground, 
metallic silver; center a skeleton-like green oak leaf; the wide border consists of irregular lines 
of rich emerald green, spotted silver; margin prettily waved, red bronze dotted withsilver. The 
entire leaf has a changeable, amethystine lustre, with a deeper, yiolet tinge in the center. 
Tourmaline. A splendid sort, with very large, broad leaves, rounded high on the upper 
side, and blunt pointed: midribs and veins, dark rich green, changing to emerald-green; surface 
between veins and midribs, bordered with shining silver spots. The leaf has a beautiful satiny 
bloom, and is lightly covered with long pale-green hairs. Stems and young growth, bright red, 
and covered with long bright red hairs. 
Silyer Cloud. Very pretty medium sized leaves; ground dark, rich green. The entire leaf 
is blistered and clouded with silver and dotted with silver spots on the bronze edge. 25c to 50c. 
Rex Begonias do well bedded out in a shaded location, in light soil, and plenty of water at the 
roots. 
San Diego, Cal. 
“The Begonias came a few days ago; am delighted with them. They are such fine plants, and 
so carefully packed.’’ 
MRS. H. HARMON. 
TUBEROUS BEGONIAS., 
“The Magic Begonia.” 
A rare treat awaits those who are to see tuberous begonias in all their beauty for the first time, 
for one who has never seen them cannot imagine even form a description half of their loveliness. 
we have always admired them immensely, but this last season we had a large collection of the 
various types in flower, and were completely captivated by them. So soon do they come into 
bloom after the rough brown tubers are planted, that it seems almost like magic. When planting 
time comes, which is in March or April, the dainty pink shoots peep through the tubers which 
means “‘we are coming.’’ In six weeks after this pretty hint for care and attention has been 
taken, handsome leaves and beautiful flowers have developed together, and a show of flowers 
continues till the last of October. They will grow equally well in pots or baskets, or in beds in 
sheltered locations in the open ground, giving a wealth of splendid flowers from spring till late 
autumn, when they go to sleep forabout 4's months, The varieties are almost innumerable, 
the flowers all sizes from two to five inches in diameter, single and double,resembling hollyhocks, 
roses, camelias, single ones with plain or fimbricated edges, or with beautifully crested petals. 
The colors and shades are bewildering in their number and brilliancy. Red, from the deepest 
wine color, scarlet and crimson, terra cotta, orange scarlet; orange, yellow and straw color; and 
pink and rose that are dreams, some shaded and varigated, and the lovliest pure snowy white. 
They require equal parts of loam, sand and leaf mold, or thoroughly rotted manure. If in pots 
must have good drainage. If planted in beds it is well to mulch the surface of the ground to 
keep it from drying out. They should never be allowed to become dry, when growing, as dry 
roots cause the flowers and ieaves to fall; but they must not be overwatered. 
