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BEGONIA FUCIISIOIDES. 
In cultivating this species the warmth of the stove will be required, and it 
should be grown in a fibrous open soil, composed of leaf mould and light loam in 
equal proportions. It has naturally a handsome habit, but this is greatly improved 
by stopping its branches and shoots, and tastefully disposing them as they grow. 
Cuttings treated in the usual way are a very ready means of increase. 
As plants of interest, easy management, and of a really ornamental character, 
the amateur culturist can scarcely select a group that would afford him more satis- 
faction and pleasure than one composed of several of the best species. They 
commend themselves to him, because of their simple cultivation, their rare beauty, 
and their great diversity of character. The fact that the greater part are stove 
plants need not operate to prevent their cultivation, since notwithstanding a genial 
warmth is necessary for them during the period of growth, a warm greenhouse will 
suffice for the development of the blossoms of many of the species. Begonias are 
more at home, and are seen to greater advantage, when brought together in groups, 
and are so because from the peculiarity of the foliage they do not well associate with 
other plants. 
The genus is named in honour of Michael Begon, an intendant of the French 
Marine, and a patron of Botany, who flourished in the seventeenth century. 
