210 
CULTURE OF BEGONIAS. 
resulting from copious applications. It must be remembered, however, that we 
are now only speaking of plants which are actually growing freely : before the 
plants have recommenced vegetating, they should receive no water, or very little, 
and for some time after, it must be dealt out in a sparing though gradually in- 
creasing quantity. Plants with a diseased or feeble growth cannot bear so much 
water as those which are growing luxuriantly, and of course consuming more for 
their support. The species, moreover, with small leaves and tenuous stems, demand 
less than those of a coarser habit. A healthy plant in full vigour of B. heraclei- 
folia will require at least five times more water than it would be proper to apply 
to a similar plant of B. Martiana. 
Like most other plants of free growth, Begonias delight in a good share of 
liquid manure. Guano in small quantities well diluted with water is a beneficial 
substance. But the same rule which applies to the administration of water, ought 
also to regulate the application of a solution of guano or other liquid manure ; as 
the quality and strength in which they may be given with benefit to the robust 
growing kind, would act injuriously upon those of a more delicate character. 
Soils of various descriptions are advocated by different cultivators, some pre- 
ferring a light sandy earth, others peat, and a third loam. Each of these may 
suit particular species, but none of them, we are persuaded, can be used generally 
with so much advantage, as a rich soil composed of about equal quantities of a 
stringy peat, thoroughly decayed leaves, and moderately tenacious loam, consisting 
of the rotted turves from a pasture. A large amount of vegetable matter will be 
beneficial to the stronger-feeding species, whilst those of finer growth will 
thrive better in a compost containing a greater portion of peat. 
The present system of allowing plants larger pots has produced a great im- 
provement in the culture of plants generally ; and we may say, particularly in this 
genus, and others of rapid growth. Most of the Begonias grow with great freedom, 
if they are encouraged to do so, by giving the roots good soil and plenty of pot- 
room. On the other hand, if the roots are confined, the plants are prevented from 
growing well, and forming handsome foliage of good colour ; and of course the 
number of flowers also is very greatly diminished. It is right to observe, however, 
that it is not a good plan to remove a plant late in its growing season from a 
small pot to one much larger : if more soil becomes indispensable to maintain 
the plant in health and vigour, it should only be shifted to a pot a size bigger. 
Large shifts are only proper when the plants are just aroused from a quiescent 
state and commencing their growth ; if, at that time, the roots have plenty of 
space filled with good earth to ramify amongst, the plants will acquire both a larger 
size and handsomer appearance than under a starving, stinting treatment. They 
must have branches or they will not be good specimens, and these must be pro- 
duced naturally in the course of the main stem's growth, and not by any forced 
pinching-back system. Now plants that are not supplied with abundance of 
nourishment at the roots, are exceedingly liable to run up with a single stem, and 
