496 
Gi(jantic specimen of the Begonia Dipetcda. 
12 inches, increasing tx) 18 or 24 for the tallest. As the upper laterals 
get long, let four stakes be placed about equi-distant, at right angles; 
to each of these train one shoot, taking care to tie the main stem of it 
securely—it will soon be observed more than half of the shoots must 
be cut off, and in that consists one of the principal benefits of the 
system. Thinning the wood strengthens the shoots that are left, and 
it reduces the number of flowers, from which those on the plants are 
greatly increased in size and beauty. Great attention will be con¬ 
stantly required to keep all the bunches in regular order. The flow¬ 
ers also will require support as they open; and all shoots which break 
below, or come badly situated for training to, or being supported by 
matting from the stake, should immediately be displaced. 
As the cultivation of the best flowers is no more trouble than that of 
the most inferior, it is very desirable to every grower to procure such, 
yet from not knowing a proper market he may not succeed in obtaining 
them. There are many extensive and fine collections in the neigh¬ 
bourhood of London; among them Messrs. Chandler and Sons, at 
Vauxhall, which although not the largest, has, I think, the greatest 
proportion of new and fine flowers: they (having discarded all the 
inferior and older sorts) are now offering the best at very reasonable 
prices. 
An Amateur Horticulturist. 
February 13, 1832. 
Article IX .—Account of a gigantic specimen of the Be¬ 
gonia DipMala. By Juvenis. 
Calling the other day on Mr. Harrinson, Gardener to William 
Gerrard Walmsley, Esq., I met with the finest specimen of the Be¬ 
gonia dipdtala that ever my eyes beheld. This gigantic plant was 
six feet one inch in height, and seven feet six inches in circumference, 
and had upon its branches 1060 full blown flowers. This 1 consider 
an enormous plant, especially as Mr. Loudon, in his catalogue, states 
its average height to be three feet. This plant was purchased of 
Mr. Scirven, at the Walton Nursery, near Liverpool, by its present 
owner (W. G. Walmsley, Esq.) in May last, it being then only two 
inches high. It commenced blooming in December, being then six 
months old. It had been in bloom two months when 1 saw it, and to 
all appearance it would bloom for two months to come. 
March 5, 1832. 
Juvenis. 
P.S.—W. G. Walmsley, Esq. resides at Platts, Ince, near Wigan, 
Lancashire. 
