Plate 5. 



BEGONIA INTERMEDIA. 



In the former series of the Floral Magazine we were enabled to figure, not only the fine 

 species of Begonia discovered by Mr. Pearce — viz., Begonia Bolivensis and B. Veitchii — but also 

 hybrids from them (for it was at once seen how admirably they could be adapted for this 

 purpose) ; but we question very much whether any of them, either species or garden varieties, 

 can vie with that which we now present. 



We are informed by Messrs. Veitch and Son, in whose establishment this fine variety 

 has been raised, that it is a cross between Begonia Bolivensis and B. Veitchii ; the flowers are 

 of the same colour as the latter, and of intermediate form. The habit is somewhat in the 

 way of Begonia Bolivensis, but still retaining a great deal of Veitchii. It is very robust, sturdy, 

 and free growing, and flowers very freely indeed; as it has so much of the Veitchii blood in 

 it, it may be reckoned amongst the free-flowering greenhouse Begonias. With regard to 

 culture, there is very little difficulty ; it requires to be grown in a light rich soil, and to be 

 carefully supplied with water ; when started, it ma,y afterwards be more freely supplied. 

 As the shoots lengthen they should be neatly tied to small stakes, for, being succulent, they 

 are apt to be broken off. Few greenhouse plants are more effective than a well-grown speci- 

 men of any of these greenhouse Begonias, and we can well imagine that a plant of this fine 

 variety will make a more brilliant display than either of those from which it has originated. 



Plate 6. 



ANTIRRHINUMS— DELICATUM AND WILLIAM ROBINSON. 



Amongst the flowers which have of late years experienced the skill of the"hybridizer is 

 the old-fashioned Snap-dragon or rabbit-mouth of our childhood ; and many and great are 

 the changes that have been thereby produced. Its peculiar form admits of no modification, 

 unlike in this respect the pansy, the dahlia, or the pink ; but its size has been materially 

 increased, and the variations in colour multiplied. 



As an herbaceous plant the Antirrhinum is one of the easiest grown of our garden 

 favourites, and for the continuity of its bloom deserves a place more than many which are 

 more sought after; it seeds most freely; those who have a good collection can by saving 

 seed, and sowing it in pans in the spring, obtain an abundant supply of plants, which will 

 flower finely in the summer and autumn. It is a very useful flower for cutting for bouquets. 



The flowers in our plate were raised by Messrs. Downie, Laird, and Laing, of Stanstead 

 Park, Forest Hill, to whom we are indebted for the opportunity of figuring them. Delicatum 

 (fig. 1) has the ground colour pure white, sparingly striped with bright crimson and minutely 

 spotted all over with crimson spots ; the lip is light yellow, and the spike is very densely 

 arranged. William Robinson (fig. 2) is in colour a rich deep crimson, top of the lip lined 

 with orange. These varieties are fair examples of the very great improvement which has taken 

 place in this old-fashioned flower, under the careful culture of those who, like Messrs. 

 Downie and Co., have taken pains to follow out step by step the results obtained. 



