i6 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



just mentioned are, however, mostly preferred for 

 seed sowing, and by good culture plants large 

 enough to bed out the same season can be had. 

 Well-drained pans should be filled with a mixture 

 of fine loam and leaf soil (free from worms) made 

 firm and level, but not surfaced with sand, 

 as this affords no support to the seedlings, and 

 they perish before their first roots can reach 

 the soil underneath. Gently moisten the soil, 

 and when the water has drained away, sow 

 the begonia seed as regularly as possible, not 

 covering with soil or sand. Place the pans in 

 brisk moist heat, cover with squares of glass, and 

 shade heavily. The soil must be kept uniformly 

 moist, and when approaching dryness, re-moisten 

 by partial immersion of the pans in a pail or tub 

 of tepid water, the soil then becoming moist 

 upwards, and without disturbing the seed — a very 



Fig. 108. Seedling Begonias. 



a, the result of faulty — b, of sound practice. 



important consideration. Directly tiny specks 

 of green can be seen, gradually expose to more 

 light, but sunshine must be excluded. Prick out 

 the seedlings when it is only possible to move 

 them with a small-pointed stick, transferring 

 them with the forked point of another dibber to a 

 ready-prepared pan of fine soil, in which carefully 

 insert them an inch apart. Give a gentle watering, 

 still keeping the plants in moist heat, and shade 

 carefully. Before they press against each other, 

 replant into boxes filled with a mixture of loam, 

 leaf soil, decayed manure, and sand. If they are 

 disposed 4 inches apart they may remain in the 

 boxes till bedded out, but finer plants are had by 

 growing them in beds of rich soil over a mild hot- 

 bed in pits or frames. Never prepare begonias in 

 small pots. In these they become stunted and 

 starved (a), whereas stronger, better-rooted plants 

 can be moved out of either boxes or beds of soil, 



these (6) thriving and doing well from the first. (See 

 Pig. 108.) Any raised late or which are not large 

 enough for the flower beds should be planted in 

 the reserve garden, and they will form serviceable 

 tubers for another year. Begonias succeed in a 

 rich, freely worked soil. Mulch early with cocoa- 

 nut fibre refuse, leaf soil, or fine, well-decayed 

 manure, and give water freely in dry weather. 

 Pibrous-rooted varieties may be thrown away in 

 the autumn or a portion may be potted before 

 frosts damage them, for winter flowering. The 

 tuberous-rooted section should be lifted directly 

 frosts have damaged the tops, leaving a little 

 soil about the roots. Dry them thoroughly, and 

 when the tops come away freely, rub off more of 

 the soil from the tubers, and store them out of 

 reach of frost. The larger tubers may be kept 

 thinly in cool dark places similarly to potatoes, 

 but the smaller ones should be surrounded by 

 sand or fine soil. April is early enough to start 

 the tubers. Just bury them in leaf soil in boxes 

 and place in gentle heat, or even in a protected 

 frame. When growing strongly afford more 

 room in boxes or beds of rich soil, and do not 

 finally plant out till there is no danger of frosts 

 occurring. 



Celosia pyramidalis (Feathered Cockscomb). — The 

 value of these bright and elegant plants for 

 summer bedding is not yet fully appreciated. 

 In some of the London parks celosias are freely 

 and effectively employed in beds, but are not 

 often so grown in private gardens. They can be 

 had in separate colours, yellow, orange red, 

 scarlet, and crimson, or mixed. They must not 

 be raised early and drawn up in warm houses. 

 Sow the seed in April in a pan of fine sandy soil, 

 covering lightly and placing in gentle heat to 

 germinate. Before the plants become drawn 

 transfer to warm greenhouse shelves, and soon 

 after place them singly in 3-inch pots, using good 

 loamy soil. Still keep them near the glass in 

 gentle warmth, and when well rooted place them 

 in a frame, gradually preparing them for out- 

 door exposure where they can be protected from 

 late frosts. By the end of May these dwarf 

 plants ought to be showing their flower heads, 

 and if planted in good soil in June, will develop 

 large, rich plumes. Celosias may be dotted 

 among trailing plants or grouped in the centre 

 of beds, in either case producing a beautiful effect 

 during the summer. 



Centattrea. — The silvery-leaved centaureas, C. 

 ragusina, C. Clementei, and C. gymnocarpa, can 



