110 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ May, 
form a considerable head of blossoms, the beautiful rose-coloured flowers, which 
are not only remarkable for their large size, but also for their perfection of form; 
indeed, they are so finely modelled, that the variety must be regarded as a true 
florists’ flower, and it is besides of free-blooming and vigorous habit, qualities 
which add immensely to its value as a decorative plant. We learn from Messrs. 
Veitch that it is a hybrid of the third generation, the result of in-and-in crossing 
carried on between B. boliviensis and B. Pectrcei in the first instance, and 
then with B. Veitchii , and afterwards with B. Sedeni. The result of this inter¬ 
breeding was the production of B. Stella and B. Model , both certificated 
varieties, out of the same batch of seedlings. 
As regards the treatment of this new race of Begonias , the Messrs. Veitch 
inform us that they find the best soil for them is a compost of equal parts of 
loam, leaf-mould, manure, and sand. They require when growing, or at least 
they thrive in, a temperature of from 65° to 75° with fire-heat, and accompanied 
by abundance of air. In sunny weather they should not be shaded except on very 
hot days when there is no air, and then only for an hour or two in the middle of 
the day. When at rest, they should have a temperature of 50° to 60°, and bo 
kept comparatively dry. 
Some of the hybrids of B. boliviensis and the allied race, including the 
glorious B. Veitchii , which is all but, if not quite hardy, have been recommended 
for summer bedding; and it seems by no means improbable that we shall 
eventually secure in these a new ornament for our flower-beds and borders. 
They are in 'the meanwhile exceedingly valuable acquisitions for in-door 
decorative purposes.—T. Moore. 
VINES AND VINE-CULTURE.— Chapter VII. 
Disbudding and Stopping the Shoots. 
the commencement, each season, of the growth of the Vine, the first 
operation that requires to be performed, and to which attention must be 
f 1 first directed, is that of disbudding, as it is termed, and which is in reality 
a thinning-out and regulating of the young shoots that may appear. This 
is an operation of some importance, especially in respect to young Vines, as upon 
its being properly carried out depends the future form or character of the plant. 
Disbudding is, in fact, the first step in training, although it is practised much in 
the same manner, long after the form is established. Improper disbudding will 
counteract the best system of pruning that may be adopted; therefore it should 
be performed carefully and judiciously. The time for disbudding is just as soon 
as it may be perceived that there are more buds than are requisite—say, when 
the shoots are 1 in. or thereabouts in length; but the sooner it is done the 
better. To allow the superfluous buds to develop into shoots, and then to rub 
them off, is a clear waste of the energies of the plant. Some cultivators wait 
until it can be seen where the clusters will be produced before disbudding 
finally, and this is safe practice with some Vines, 
