Plate 477. 



BEGONIA DAVIESI, fl. pl. Superba. 



It was at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on May 10th last that 

 Messrs. John Laing and Co., of Stanstead Park Nursery, Forest Hill, S.B., exhibited this 

 fine new double Begonia, which received a First-class Certificate of Merit. The Garden 

 described it as " without doubt the finest double-flowered tuberous-rooted Begonia yet 

 raised." That was the impression left on our own mind when we saw it growing in the 

 collection at the Stanstead Park Nurseries, as it is a remarkably fine novelty, the flowers 

 measuring fully two and a half inches in diameter, and being of a rich deep crimson- 

 scarlet colour. It possesses all the fine qualities of B. Daviesi as regards sturdy habit of 

 growth and freedom of flowering ; the flowers form a perfectly circular rosette of petals. 



We may remark that this is one of several fine and improved forms of the Double 

 Begonia Messrs. Laingand Co. have raised. In the case of improvements in double flowers, 

 it is the aim of the raisers to increase the size and fulness of the bloom, adding also 

 brilliance of colour and symmetry of form. These qualities are decidedly characteristic 

 of the new flowers of the present year. 



Plate 478. 

 COLEUS CRIMSON VELVET. 



It is somewhat difficult for our artist to convey an adequate idea of the richness of 

 colouring found in the leaves of some of the newer forms of the Coleus, as they are 

 intermingled in a striking manner, and many of the hues are exceedingly rich. The 

 splendid novelty now figured was raised at the Mile Ash Nurseries, Derby, by Mr. Edwin 

 Cooling, who will distribute it in May next. The colour of the leaf is bright crimson, 

 veined with darker crimson, and remarkably rich and velvety in appearance. The habit 

 is very free and compact. We are informed by Mr. Cooling that he has tested the 

 qualities of his new variety in the most thorough manner, by growing it by the side of all 

 the best new varieties, and it was generally acknowledged to be the best of its class. As 

 a pot-plant for the decoration of the greenhouse it is unequalled ; and in warm situations 

 bids fair to be a most useful and effective bedding plant. We have of late seen several 

 fine new varieties of the Coleus, but that now figured appears to be one of the most 

 distinct and promising. 



