dk,r\i)e]l & 
bloom amazingly. Shade daring the sammcr, but admit plenty of air and light — light is one of 
the great things — just shaded from the sun, only kept near the glass ; no syringing, but occasionally 
a good drenching with rain water from a coarse rose ; avoid dust and cold draughts, administer weak 
liquid manure, and keep them growing as long as possible. Our Real Manure is unquestionably the 
best; if this is not at hand, dilated cow or horse manure. When the plants show signs of decay, 
lay the pots on their sides in some dry place, in December, shake away all soil, and place the tubers on 
the top of soil in the pots before mentioned. A house can be kept in a blaze of bloom all the summer 
with Begonias, and all the winter and the remaining parts of the year with Zonal l^elargoninms, 
either of which only require the treatment any intelligent man can give them. Attention is the 
great thing. 
Seed Sowing and Seedling Raising. — First fill a pot or pan half full of some substance to 
make it porous for drainage, then cover over with moss, or something similar, to make a separation, 
and then fill to within a quarter of an inch from the top of light, fine-sifted soil, previously charred 
or burnt, so much the better, so as to kill all animal and vegetable life; press down level, and on it 
sprinkle the seed ; place over this the smallest coating of the very finest cocoa-nut fibre and sea sand 
or soil, just so as to support the seed in their places. Keep in total darkness, with paper or glass over 
the top, in a temperature of 60° to 70® ; as soon as they show signs of life above the soil gradually 
expose, and as soon as they have roots a quarter of an inch long, loosen round carefully, make small 
holes in similar-prepared soil in small pots. They are too small for manipulation ; in fact, they mast 
not be handled. Have a wine-glass of water, dip a pencil in it (use it as a dibber), and by this means 
these small seedlings will hang to it, and can be easily placed into the hole previously made for them, 
gently press down, and place in a similar temperature for a few days afterwards ; gradually expose and 
reduce from 60® to 60°, and keep near the glass. The sun, after February, must not be allowed to 
shine long on Begonias under glass, as they dislike extreme heat, sun, and cold ; they delight in, and 
oinst be kept at, a medium temperature. 
Fop the full History, &c., of the Begonia, see Book by B. Wynne, 1/3 post free. 
^&^o7ne an^ 
OUR V BEGONIAS, 
THE GOLD CLOCK COLLECTION. 
The highest and most important award yet given, and indicating the 
excellency of our strain. 
DOUBLE BEGONIAS. 
f FORMERLY all our varieties have been collected from France and Germany, but now they 
^ have them from us. The 12 houses we devote to Double and Single Begonias will be found to 
contain a greater selection of colour and better gro\vn plants than those of any other firm a fact 
which is vouched for by our customers having taken probably twice as many prizes for this wmily. 
We have had blooms far finer than the engravings seem to indicate, the flowers we have exhibited 
having caused surprise and astonishment to all who beheld them. Mounted on wire separately, 
they form charming ornaments for buttonholes or bouquets, whilst their lasting properties render 
them desirable for vases or table decorations. Their culture is just the same as for the single kinds 
and no better advice can be offered as regards them than in the preceding article. 
FOR NEW DOUBLES FOR 1894, SEE NEW THINGS. 
( 13 ) 
