TUBEROUS BEGONIAS. 



193 



begin to degenerate, some sooner, some later ; hence the neces- 

 sity of raising young plants to keep up the standard of perfection. 

 It may be said that 



Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale 

 Her infinite variety ; 



but the life of the individual has to be renewed at moderately 

 short intervals by cuttings or by seed. 



The first batch of plants may be started about the end of 

 January or the beginning of February, and they will flower in 

 April or May, according to the amount of sunshine they enjoy 

 and of artificial heat used. Successional batches of tubers may 

 be put into heat during March or April to flower in June or July, 

 and be it observed that the more slowly they are brought forward 

 the more sturdy and durable they will be. Put them singly in 

 small pots proportionate to the size of the tubers, in a compost 

 consisting of equal parts of fibrous loam, leaf-soil, and sand, in a 

 rough or lumpy condition. Press the soil rather firmly if short 

 growth and a long season are desired, merely covering the top of 

 the tuber. Stand the pots on a bed of cocoa-nut fibre or plunge 

 them in it, and keep the temperature of the house at from 65° to 

 70°. Should the soil be dry at potting time give it a watering ; 

 after that water should be applied with discretion till the plants 

 begin to grow freely. Tubers that have been wintered in pots 

 may be put into heat, watered a little, and afterwards damped 

 down with the syringe till they start into growth, and then re- 

 potted into suitably smaller sizes. Light is of great importance 

 in the early months of the year, and it is all-important that 

 the plants should be kept as near the glass as possible after they 

 have started into growth, to encourage a short-jointed and sturdy 

 growth. 



Eepot the plants before they become root-bound, and as the 

 season advances and the temperature outside becomes milder, 

 gradually give more and more ventilation, as upon a cool and 

 airy atmosphere a great deal of the success in Begonia culture 

 depends. Low span-roofed houses give most satisfaction. The 

 soft and watery tissue of Begonias soon responds to favourable 

 or unfavourable conditions ; therefore let them have a house to 

 themselves where possible, and no makeshift permitted. The 

 smaller plants may be grown on the side shelves on ashes or 

 cocoa-nut fibre, while all the larger and taller specimens may be 



