ON NOTABLE RACES OF PLANTS 59 



them better. Cut and associated with light fern, etc., 

 the flowers are very attractive. 



A large number of beautiful varieties of begonias 

 have been introduced to gardens by Messrs Veitch, of 

 Chelsea. These are very brilliant plants, and in some 

 the influence of their Socotran pedigree is apparent. 

 Especially is this so with Winter Gem, which, like 

 B, socotrana^ can only be propagated by means of the 

 tubers. Mrs Heal (very fine), Adonis, John Heal, etc., 

 are hybrids between B, socotrana and summer flowering 

 tuberous forms. They have flowers of various shades 

 of rose, and are propagated by cuttings taken late in 

 May. 



A special note must also be made of Gloire de Sceaux, 

 with bronzy-purple large leaves, and pale pink flowers. 



Fine plants are produced from cuttings struck early 

 in June. If plants are desired in flower at Christmas, 

 they should be kept in a stove in autumn. The fine 

 coloured foliage is, however, a great ornament before 

 flowers. 



B. Froebeli and its hybrid incomparabilis have bright 

 scarlet flowers, but they are not produced over many 

 weeks, hence are not amongst those most popular. 



-B. semperflorens and its variety gigantea rosea can be 

 grown in a cooler house than the others. 



The old B, manicata is unhke others. It may be 

 grown in small pots, when its stem should not be pinched 

 or planted out ; it forms a succulent light green leaved 

 shrub if the shoots are occasionally checked. The 

 flowers are pale pink, very small, but so numerous as to 

 give a '^London Pride" effect. Other winter flowering 

 plants in this important group of plants are Digswelliana, 

 Dregii, Ingramii, TVeltoniensis, and Knowsleyana, 



The following species, etc., of begonia should be in 

 every collection for their finely coloured leaves. They 

 remain in good condition all the year round, if the shoots 



