124 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDEXIXG. 



water is gradually withheld, and tlie soil allowed to 

 become di-y, but not entirely so. Then the tubers 

 should be shaken from the soil at the proper 

 time; and, after being diied, should be placed 



when not in any special way pushed into acti\dty, 

 but left to start of their own accord. If they have 

 been wintered in pots and begin to show signs 

 of gi^owth, shake all the old soil fi-om the roots and 



Sl^'GLE-FLOWEEED BeGOIs'IA, BlACK DOUGLAS. 



in boxes, in dry sawdust, and packed awa^r, keep- 

 ing them during the winter in a dry cool place. 

 When only a few tubers are grown they can be 

 wintered in the pots of soil, but not kept quite di'y :^ 

 or the roots can be shaken fi'om the soil and put 

 singly into pots of sawdust, and wintered where they 

 will be unharmed by frost. 



As regards starting the tubers into growth, it may 

 be stated that they make the finest growth and bloom 



re-pot into small pots, the less soil the better until 

 they come into growth. Give good di^ainage, and 

 use a light sandy soil. Some care is required at 

 fii'st starting, or the tubers are apt to decay. They 

 should have warmth until fin.e weather arrives, and 

 then plenty of air. Then the plants must be shifted 

 into larger pots as necessary, if it is the desire of 

 the cultivator to have fine and handsome specimens. 

 ]\Iost amateur ciiltivators of the Begonia who raise 



