52 



THE 



GARDENERS' 



MAGAZINE. 



January 22, iJk8. 



New Winter-flowering Begonias. 



THE production of the tuberous begonia as we now know it is certainly 

 one of the greatest horticultural feats of the present century, but with all 

 the vigour of growth and variety of colour and form the race possesses, 

 none of the varieties are amenable to winter cultivation. They are 

 essentially summer and autumn flowering plants, splendid for their 

 season, but not assisting to dispel the gloom of our winters. Many a 

 horticulturist, watching his tuberous begonias in the conservatory in June 

 or July, has thought what a grand thing it would be could such a display 

 be produced during either of the four months of October, November, 

 December, and January. One, at least, did something more than think ; 



after having been certificated on January 13 of that year, was, I believe 

 the second of the hybrids produced. It is a beautiful little plant, ob' 

 tained by crossing B. socotrana with a crimson-scarlet tuberous begonia 

 It closely resembles B. socotrana in its peltate foliage and bulbils, but it 

 is dwarfer than the species, and has leaves half the 



size of the latter 



Propagation in this case is effected by separating the bulbils, and by 

 means of leaves pegged down and the ribs severed. The flowers of B 

 Winter Gem are ot a rich scarlet-crimson hue, about two inches in dia- 

 meter, and borne in corymbs on stout erect peduncles. The flowers of this 

 variety are of the most persistent character, lasting in beauty from four to 

 six weeks. 



f _ _ B. MRS. Heal is a hybrid between a tuberous variety and B. soco- 



he set to work/and his efforts have resulted in the production of an trana, the former being the seed parent This and the following varieties 



differ from the foregoing in being more robust growers, and producing 

 larger and more showy flowers. It is the finest of the forms yet in com- 

 merce, and was quite the centre of attraction when exhibited by Messrs. 



11C jCI IVJ Will K, ailU 1113 tllUlU HO»K mmm v*.~ f~ ~~ " 



entirely new race that bids fair to become as essential at the end of the 

 year as cyclamen and primulas are at the beginning. 



The raiser of this new race is Mr. J. Heal, the capable and genial 



hybridiser at Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea, whose efforts in con- 

 nection with Javanese rhododendrons, hippeastrums, streptocarpus, and 

 phyllocacti are well known. How to make a decided start toward the 

 end in view was a difficult matter to decide, for though by selection and 

 retarding tuberous begonias could be made to flower fairly late in the 

 year, yet they were not produced late enough ; the declining light paled 

 the bright hues so resplendent in summer, while autumn fogs spoiled the 

 whole crop of flowers in an hour or two. The difficulty was practically 

 solved by the discovei y of Begonia socotrana by Professor Bailey Balfour 

 in 1880. Some plants were sent to Chelsea from Edinburgh in 1S81, and 

 its winter-flowering propensities having been tested it was put into 

 commerce by the Messrs. Veitch the following year. This species, then, 

 offered a basis whereon to build a race of winter-flowering begonias that 

 would stand a large amount of fog uninjured. But to find tuberous 

 begonias with which to cross B. socotrana was no easy matter, and 

 having found them, other difficulties arose, for the begonias are widely 

 different in habit, this species having clusters of bulbils forming at the 

 base of the annual stem, and the others having a tuberous stock. How- 

 ever, as in many other instances, Mr. Heal's perseverance overcame the 

 difficulties, and his first new begonia having the above for parents was 

 the now celebrated B. John Heal. Other varieties followed, and quite a 

 new lead was made in 1895 when B. Mrs. J. Heal came before the public ; 

 subsequent varieties have been more robust and showy than the earlier 

 ones, and they show the wisdom of reverse crossing. 



The method of cultivating these winter-flowering begonias is 

 practically the same throughout, though there are slight differences to be 

 considered in propagating the several varieties. Thus B. John Heal and 

 B. Winter (iem partake largely of the character of B. socotrana, 

 especially in having bulbils ; B. Adonis has no bulbils, but it can scarcely 

 be called a tuberous variety, though the dormant root stock thickens 

 somewli.it. B. Mrs. Heal, B. Myra, B. Ensign, B.Julius, B. Success, 

 and B. Winter Cheer, are all tuberous rooted, and can be propagated by 

 cuttings of the young growth. An intermediate temperature suits this 

 family all through the year, and they need abundance of light and a 

 position as near the glass as possible. In the matter of soil they all suc- 

 ceed in a compost consisting of two-thirds fibrous loam and one-third 

 peat or leaf-mould ; to this should be added a liberal allowance of sand. 

 I irye pots are a mistake, and even for such a strong grower as B. Adonis 

 a thirty-two size is ample for the final potting ; for most sorts a large 

 forty-eight is sufficient, and it is surprising what growth and profusion of 

 bloom can be then sustained. As regards temperature, the thermometer 

 may register 60 to 65 degrees in summer and 50 to 55 degrees in winter. 

 The tubers remain dormant during spring and summer, starting into 

 growth about the end of July and during August. Cuttings maybe 

 rooted in a close case in a warm house my time during the autumn, but 

 for the purposes of increase it is a good plan to start a plant or two in 

 June, as the early growth thus produced will give cuttings that root in 

 July, and flower, if kept in small pots, during winter. Very little water 

 is necessary during the dormant stage, but the tubers should not be 

 allowed to dry as in the summer-flowering tuberous forms. A good plan 

 is to plunge the pots into others a si/e or two larger, fillings the space with 

 soil ; an occasional damping of the stage will then be sufficient, provided 

 the atmosphere of the house is not excessively dry. Plenty of moisture 

 is needed when growth is free, and to assist the development of spikes 

 and flowers weak guano water in occasional doses will be found desirable. 



(Ireen fly has to be kept down by the usual means, but very strong 

 fumigations are not favourable to the plaats. # Now as to the varieties. 



B. JOHN HEAL, the first of this race, worthily commemorates the 

 raiser. It was awarded a first-class certificate by the R.H.S., on October 13, 

 1885, and put into commerce in ib88. It was the first successful hybrid 

 between a tuberous begonia— the variety was Viscountess Doneraile— and 

 B. socotrana. It has bulbils very much as in the seed parent. It is a 

 dwarf variety, with medium green foliage, and bears light racemes of 

 bright rosy carmine flowers, each an inch and a half across, and borne 

 to nine together. A remarkable point in this begonia is that a female 

 flower is extremely rare, and this to some extent accounts for the persis- 

 tence of the crop, as individual flowers last about three weeks in good 

 condition, and then shrivel on the raceme instead of falling. For table 

 decoration this is a splendid begonia, as beautiful little plants suitable 

 for filling ornamental vases can be grown in large thumb pots. 



B. Adonis made its bow to the public on November 8, 1887, when it 

 was awarded a first-class certificate by the R. M.S. It is a very robust 

 variety, and .the result of crossing a summer-flowering tuberous begonia 

 with B. John Heal. The foliage is bold, but still shows signs of the B 

 socotrana influence, though the root stock is slightly tuberous, and no 



1 • • • • 



measure two to two and a half inches 

 in diameter, and are borne in semi pendulous racemes; in colour they are 

 bright rosy carmine, with a tinge of scarlet ; paler centre. B. Adonis was 

 first distributed m 1888. 



Bk<;oni \ Win i kk < ,1 \i, though not put into [commerce until 1891, 



J. Veitch [and Sons, before the R.H.S., on October 15, 1895, when an 

 award of merit was granted. It is distinctly a tuberous variety, but the 

 influence of the pollen parent is seen in the persistence of the carmine- 

 scarlet flowers, reduction of the foliage and lateness of flowering. The 

 blooms are three inches across, substantial, and borne six or seven 

 together on erect peduncles that rise above the light green foliage. The 

 Gardeners' Magazine of November 23, 1895, contained a figure of 

 this fine begonia. B. Mrs. Heal was put into commerce in 1897. 



B. Success, though gaining an award of merit on October 29, 

 1895, has not yet been distributed. It is, however, a handsome hybrid, 

 having B. socotrana as the pollen parent, and a rose-pink tuberous variety 

 as seed parent. It is a fine addition to the winter-flowering race, its 

 semi-double flowers being of a rich carmine, scarlet-shaded hue, and 

 measuring three inches in diameter. 



B. Ensign is both beautiful and interesting ; the former because its 

 semi-double flowers are finely-shaped and of a bright reddish pink colour. 

 It is interesting because its mother was B socotrana, and its father a 

 "single" tuberous form. B. Ensign gained an award of merit on 

 November 24, 1896, and was first sent out in 1897. It is extremely 

 compact in habit and already a favourite. 



B. Mvra is a bold and free-flowering hybrid, with the same parentage 



It bears large lacemes of rosy-carmine flowers, which are 

 these latter are nearly three inches across, and 



as B. Ensign, 

 chiefly mule 



very 



persistent. The female flowers are somewhat smaller and scarcely so 

 bright in colour. B. Myra was put into commerce in 1897. 



B. Julius brings us to quite recent times, for it was exhibited on 

 November 23 last, and on that occasion gained an award of merit 

 from the R.H.S. It is a grand variety, robust in habit, with bold deep 

 green foliage and handsome double flowers of a soft rose-pink shade ; the 

 half-opened flowers are extremely pretty. The racemes are freely borne 

 and the flowers numerous, each about two and a half inches across, very 

 persistent, and of wonderful substance. A rose-coloured tuberous variety 

 was the seed parent, and B. socotrana the pollen parent of B. Julius 

 For this variety horticulturists will have to wait awhile. 



B. Winter CHEER is the latest- addition to what may be called the 

 Chelsea begonias. It bears a profusion of carmine flowers tinged with 



It bears a profusion of carmine 

 scarlet, and with a salmon centre. It is a semi-double variety, and as the 

 flowers are three inches in diameter, it can well be imagined that it is the 



It is a tuberous-rooted variety, 



Growtk 



most showy of the semi-double forms. 



and, as in the previous form, had B. socotrana as seed parent, 

 is strong and the foliage bold, as in B. Adonis, so that it is probable 

 distribution may commence at an early d&te. B. Winter Cheer is well 

 named, for it is most effective during winter, and its branching racemes 

 of bright blooms afford a cheerful display. In grace of habit B. Winter 

 Cheer is not excelled by any of its race. A good illustration of its habit 

 and mode of flowering is given in the present issue. C. H. C. 



F 



and Stable M 



The whole subject of the economic preparation and preservation of 

 farmyard and stable manure is being actively investigated at the present 

 time in Germany. The fact which has already come into great prominence 

 is, that ordinary farmyard or stable manure are valueless as food for 

 plants until they have been nitrified by some living organism or bacteria. 



The immense difference between the manurial value of the solid ar 

 liquid excrements of animals is shown in a striking manner in some « 

 the recent experiments, and the analyses of the stable and farmyard 

 manures which the investigators employed, showed that the effects 0* 

 these manurial substances was plainly connected with the proportion* 

 soluble and active nitrogenous matter which they .contained. Tbe 

 original voidings of animals have a far greater manurial value than tnc 

 final product of the manure heap which the farmer or gardener ca "** 

 to his land. In the whole progress from the stable to the land the lo* 

 of nitrogen is going on, this loss falling on the most valuable con- 

 stituent of the manure, and resulting finally in a residue of comparatively 

 inert matter. 



Maerecker illustrates the loss of nitrogen in the ordinary P rC P^ 

 tion of farmyard manure as equal to forty-five pounds per fatten^ 

 beast in one year. The data shows that when the quantity of 

 matter applied to the soil exceeds a certain proportion, the c0 ? d }?Z 



nrevailimr in t1\#* omnnrl Ko or»ti r-olw rhnncr*t\ nnd a nitru)' - 



tha: 



medium converted for a time into a denitrifying one, the oxyger 

 manded by the large bulk of decomposing organic matter being ln^ 

 case obtained by the destruction of the nitrates in the soil. An 

 manure which is effective when applied in small quantity may t""*^ 

 come injurious when made use of in excess. This has also been 

 to be the case with the more soluble artificial manures. It is bette ^ 

 use small doses, frequently repeated, than large doses applied at one, 

 a very few times. 



Harpenden. J. J. WlMJ* 



