176 



PEACTICE OF GAEDEInIXCt. 



considered almost hardj, but they seldom flower well in 

 the open gimmd. 



The Begonia discolor or Evansiana is frequently grown 

 in cottage windows, where it is a most delightful orna- 

 ment. Its treatment is very simple, though peculiar, as 

 it requires to be kept in a perfectly dormant state 

 through the winter. As soon as the stem and leaves 

 begin to decay, water should be withheld, and the pot 

 containing the plant should be placed in a dry cupboard, 

 where it will be secure from frost. Early in the spring 

 the plants should be taken from their winter-quarters, 

 and re-potted into a rich loamy soil : after which, they 

 must be most liberally watered, as this plant requires a 

 large supply of this element. The practice of watering 

 this plant by allowing it to draw up moisture from a 

 saucer or flat, is not a good one, and it is much better to 

 supply it with water by applying it to the surface of the 

 soil. After flowering, watering should be gradually 

 suspended, and the plant treated as before recommended. 



The various species of monkey -flower require to be kept 

 in pots through the winter season, but they may be planted 

 out in the open border in the summer months, where they 

 will grow much more vigorously, and flower in greater 

 perfection. The mode of propagation is, simply to place 

 a little soil on the younger shoots, which will speedily 

 form roots, and may then be removed into pots in any 

 rich soil. During the winter months, they should have 

 as much air and light as possible, but especially the 

 latter, and they must be watered with great caution, 

 taking care never to wet the leaves, or to allow them to 

 become wet from any cause, which would occasion the 

 whole plant to rot. When all danger from frost is over, 

 they may be planted out in the open borders, to rem am 

 there all the summer, and again be propagated in a 

 similar manner in the autumn. These remarks apply 

 equally well to the beautiful Scarlet Vervain {Ttvltna 

 melindres,) the species and varieties of Petunia^ and 

 others which are not so perfectly hardy ; except that the 

 latter are not so easily increased, and must generally be 

 propagated by cuttings of the young shoots, taken ofl" 

 early in the autumn. The same care is necessaiy in pre- 



