9o THE BOOK OF THE GREENHOUSE 



to rest on and not in the soil. So long as the plants 

 remain healthy looking and good in colour, I would 

 recommend that no repotting be done. This period will 

 of course vary in length, according to the temperature 

 kept up and the species which are grown. 



Palms may easily be raised from seeds sown in a fairly 

 high temperature as soon as received, but for most people 

 it is best to buy small plants from the nurseries. 



Aspidistras. — The Aspidistras are frequently given the 

 popular name of Parlour Palms, indicative of their ability 

 to bear the rough usage and neglect often met with by 

 plants grown in dwelling-houses, and they well deserve 

 the name. There are both green and variegated forms, 

 the latter being rather more delicate, or at least more prone 

 to lose portions of its variegated leaves, and to run back to 

 the green type. This can only be prevented by cutting 

 away the green leaves as they form, and by taking a little 

 extra care to keep the plants out of the way of cold 

 draught on the one hand and fire heat on the other, as 

 either is calculated to kill the white tips and edges of the 

 leaves. The simple culture necessary is to give rather 

 a large supply of water during the greater part of the 

 year and a little less in winter. Sponge the leaves fre- 

 quently and dry them, especially those of the variegated 

 form, before leaving them. Pot in spring when the 

 plants become crowded with growths, and, if desired, 

 divide them at the same time to increase stock. A good 

 potting mixture is loam and leaf mould or peat in equal 

 proportions with a liberal addition of sand, using plenty 

 of drainage. 



Begonias. — Begonias of the Rex type are easily grown 

 in pots of loam, peat and sand. They offer no diffi- 

 culties of culture, provided they get a fairly high tem- 

 perature, shade, and a liberal water supply during the 

 summer. The best method of propagation is the curious 

 one of raising several young plants from a single leaf. 



