190 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



November by starting them in batches at different periods,, 

 retarding some, and raising seedlings for late blooming. Single- 

 flowered varieties are the showiest, but a houseful of choice and 

 refined doubles is an acquisition to any establishment, and give 

 most satisfaction under glass. Some of the more floriferous 

 and drooping habited hinds, after the style of B. boliviensis, are 

 very effective when grown in pots or baskets and suspended 

 from the roof of the house. Even here choice kinds may be used, 

 having medium-sized and not too heavy flowers. Some are 

 decidedly fragrant, and if encouragement is given to their selec- 

 tion, a scented strain might yet be a reality. Marechal Niel and 

 Fragrant Eose have this quality. 



For exhibition purposes Begonias are most effective in taste- 

 fully and judiciously arranged groups ; but even here quality is 

 often overlooked, and preference given to mere display. Only 

 medium-sized plants are capable of being worked into arrange- 

 ments of this kind, with dwarf and erect-flowering kinds for the 

 front. Large specimens are not so popular as they might be, 

 for they are bold and effective when well grown and tastefully 

 manipulated, so that the staking is hidden. 



There is a promising future for tuberous Begonias as bedding 

 plants. Pelargoniums in a wet season grow like cabbages ; but 

 are as green as kale. Whether it rains or shines, Begonias 

 flower abundantly, and they are always dwarf and short-jointed 

 out of doors. Of course, to make sure of a good display early in 

 the season, tubers at least one year old should be employed. 

 They may be started sufficiently early in pits or heated frames, so 

 as to have them fairly into growth, but not showing bloom, 

 and hardened off so that they may be safely planted out about 

 the beginning of June. Thus treated, they do not experience the 

 check that plants in bloom are certain to get if the weather 

 immediately after should prove cold or dry. Seedlings selected 

 as to colour are most suitable for this purpose ; and those of stiff, 

 erect habit and free-flowering character produce the finest dis- 

 play. Double varieties are more adapted for pot work, as the 

 flowers are generally too heavy to withstand the effects of storms 

 or wind or pelting rain. They will be still more extensively 

 grown for indoor decoration, while the singles will be grown in 

 thousands for bedding purposes. Figures would fail me to give 

 exact data as to the number I have raised since I commenced 



