MISCELLANEOUS PLANTS 69 



when ready, using a tolerably rich soil containing plenty 

 of humus and sand. If sufficient heat for seed raising is 

 not to be had, a start should be made with dormant or 

 semi-dormant tubers bought in early in April. Pot these 

 up in pots that may vary in size from five inches to eight 

 inches, according to the size of tuber. Stand in the 

 greenhouse in a shady corner, and give little or no water 

 till growth begins, after which, increase the supply 

 gradually until by the time the pots are filled they will 

 take an abundance, and should never be allowed to get 

 dry. When growth and flowering cease in autumn, 

 reduce the watering and keep quite dry through the 

 winter in a frost-proof shed, leaving the tubers in the 

 soil until potting time comes round again, or they may 

 be shaken free from soil if dry, directly the top growth 

 drops away, and stored in paper bags in a cupboard or 

 cellar, but not close to the fireplace. When potting 

 these developed tubers, put at once into the flowering 

 pot, the tubers to be sunk just below the surface, 

 with a dash of sand beneath each. Press the soil firmly 

 with the fingers. Tubers showing several growths may 

 be cut in two or more pieces, leaving some growths on 

 each piece. The pieces should be allowed to dry in the 

 sun, and the cut surfaces thickly powdered with lime or 

 charcoal before potting. 



Begonias — fibrous-rooted. — To these, the general treat- 

 ment advised for the tuberous section will apply, but 

 they should be propagated from cuttings of the new 

 growths made in spring, and should never be dried off 

 to the same extent, for if the roots were allowed to die 

 off the plants would not recover. They like the w r armth 

 of the intermediate house in winter, and should then be 

 kept fairly dry until new growth shows at the base. 

 The would-be Begonia grower must keep a sharp look- 

 out for a tiny species of thrips, which has the power of 

 simply paralysing the plants by sucking its juices. It 



