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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



attached, and placed singly in pots just large enough to hold them. Still more plants are 

 raised from seeds, some home saved, but the greater portion imported. Sow not later 

 than March, thinly in pans, in light, sandy soil, pressing the seeds in and covering 

 with fine soil. Germination will be the more sure if the pans are plunged or set on a 

 mild hot bed, covered with glass and shaded. The seedlings may be six weeks or 

 more before they appear, and if only a few seeds germinate at first, many more may do 

 so later if the soil be kept uniformly moist. When the seedlings are large enough to 

 move, lift them out with the point of a label without breaking the roots and place them 

 singly in small pots. 



The plants thrive best in a moist and somewhat shady position. Exposing them 

 to dry heat or strong sunshine causes the leaves to turn yellow and drop. Transfer the 

 plants to larger pots before the roots become matted together. If it is desirable that 

 strong growth be made employ a somewhat rich compost or a mixture of three parts 

 fibrous loam to one each of leaf soil and decayed manure, with sand, but if dwarf plants 

 are preferred, use a poorer mixture, adding broken crocks freely. 



Where unlimited supplies of sprays for cutting are required, the plan of growing 

 the plants in borders or small brick pits should be adopted. A. plumosus is the best for 

 the purpose, and the strong growths which healthy plants are constantly pushing up 

 from the crowns can be either lightly suspended to the roof trellis or supported with 

 stakes and raffia. If supplied with abundance of water and liquid manure at the roots, 

 accompanied by gentle heat and a moist atmosphere, there will be no cessation of 

 growth. 



Strong heat is not recommended for these species of Asparagus; they may be successfully 

 cultivated in a warm greenhouse. The most luxuriant growth of A. p. nanus we have 

 seen, is against the back wall, 10 feet high, of a long lean-to house, facing north; winter 

 temperature about 50°. A cartload of deep green sprays could be cut at one time 

 without being seriously missed. The insect pests that injuriously affect the plants 

 are green and black fly (aphides) and mealy bug. Nicotine fumes will keep the 

 plants free of the first-named, and timely hand-cleaning will prevent the spread of 

 mealy bug. 



BEGONIA. 



Tuberous Begonias have already been treated upon in the chapter devoted to Florists* 

 Flowers (Vol. I.), but we have yet to discuss the merits of, and describe the treatment 



