Frilled Tuberous Begonia. 



TIBEROIS-ROOTED BEGONIAS. 



The following cultural notes from the pen of the well-known 

 writer Eben. E. Rexford, and written expressly for this book, 

 should enable anyone to grow these beautiful plants: 



"Few plants are better adapted to the summer decoration of 

 the window garden, the veranda, and the conservatory than the 

 Tuberous Begonia. It is a constant and prolific bloomer when 

 well grown, wonderfully rich and varied in coloring, and so easy 

 to grow that all persons ought to succeed with it after familiar- 

 izing themselves with its habits and requirements. 



To begin with, it likes a certain kind of soil, and if it cannot 

 have that it often fails to give satisfaction. Then, it likes a cer- 

 tain amount of water. If it gets too little or too much it drops 

 its buds, or the plants fall apart joint by joint. But give it the 

 soil that suits it and water it properly and it will surprise and de- 

 light you with the prodigality of its bloom from June to October, 

 and you will wonder how you ever came to think it a difficult 

 plant to grow. 



A soil that will grow it to perfection is made up of one part 

 leafmold — or, the very best substitute for it that I have any 

 knowledge of, turfy matter scraped from the bottom of old sod 

 —one part garden loam, and one part sand. Mix these well 

 together and you have a compost that is friable, porous, and well 

 adapted to any plants having fine, fibrous roots. I have pur- 

 posely omitted the mention of manure because I have found it 

 more satisfactory to apply plant-food when needed, and in such 

 quantities as seem to be required, than to make the soil very 

 rich with it from the start. 



When the tubers of these Begonias are procured, spread 

 them out on pans of moss, which should be kept moist and 

 warm. Here they should be left until sprouts appear. If 

 you have no moss at hand, a piece of an old blanket or carpet 

 will do very well, so long as either are thick enough to retain moisture. It is not absolutely necessary to sprout your tubers 

 in this manner if you can tell which is top or bottom of them, but frequentlv they look so much alike on both sides that you 

 cannot be sure which is which until sprouts appear, and it will not do to plant them wrong side up. Moisture and warmth 

 soon start the tubers into growth, and as soon as you are sure about them you can put them into pots. I would give each 

 tuber a five-inch pot, if grown singly. I prefer, however, to use three tubers to a seven-inch pot. The effect is stronger, and 

 in every way more satisfactory. Settle the tuber down into the soil to the depth of an inch. Water very cautiously until active 

 growth begins, then increase the amount. But at no time during its existence will the plant require more than enough to make 

 — and keep— the soil moist all through. Good drainage should be provided to guard against the dangers of overwatering. 



A good collection of Tuberous Begonias will afford the lover of fine flowers a vast amount of pleasure. Some of the single 

 blossoms will be three or four inches across. The double ones — which I admire most — resemble very double Camellias 

 more than any other flower to which they can be compared. The flowers last well. What the Dahlia is to the outdoor garden 

 that the Tuberous Begonia is to the window-garden. 



There are several methods of keeping the tubers of these Begonias over winter. Some allow them to remain in the soil in which 

 they grew in summer, allowing it to become quite dry. The pots are then stored away in a dark closet or room where the 

 temperature will be low, but never down to the freezing-point. Here they are left until March. Then they are brought to 

 the light and given water and warmth. As soon as they have sprouted they are put into pots of fresh soil and treated as 



advised above. 



Another method is to leave the tubers in their pots until all their fol- 

 iage has died off. Then the soil is allowed to dry out, after which they 

 are taken out of it, shaken clean, and wrapped in paper, each tuber by it- 

 self. They are then put into boxes of perfectly dry sawdust, or bran, 

 stored in a dry, frost-proof room until March, and then sprouted and potted 

 as above." 



We would add to the above that they are now used extensively for out- 

 door planting. Give them a partially shaded position in a light soil and 

 well drained position, and they will give inure bloom than any other 

 plant which will grow in such a place. 

 Single. Scarlet, white, pink, crimson, yellow and orange. 10 cts. 



each; $1.00 per doz. ; sil.ou per 100. 

 Single. Mixed. 8 it-, each; 75 cts. per doz.; $5.00 per 100. 

 Double. Scarlet, pink, white an. 1 yellow. 'Jo ets. each; f'J.OOper doz. 

 Double, Mixed. 15 cts. each; $1.50 per doz. 



New Frilled Tuberous Begonias. 



This strain, by cart fill selection, has been wonderfully improved, until 

 it is now unquestionably the finest of the tuberous-rooted section. The 

 flowers aie of large size, from 1 to ti inches in diameter, with beautifully 



frilled and wavy petals, not unlike the finest single Petunias. (See cut.) 



•J"> 1 1-, e.u li; >'_'.oi I per doz. 



Two Brilliant Begonias. 



Two gorgeous tuberous-rooted varieties of strong but dwarf habit, 8 

 to 10 inches in height, and throwing up numberless stems, of full, double 

 flowers from early in July until cut down by severe frost. A continuous 

 display of color, which, tor richness and intensity, is unapproached by any 

 other flowi i. 



Duke Zeppelin. Intense pure vermilion-scarlet 

 Lafayette. Brilliant crimson scarlet 



Begonia Comallina LUCBKNA (ofTcreH on next page). 26 CtS. each; $2.50 per doz.; $15.00 per 100. 



