50 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST, 
[April, 
growth, which is a very easy matter, hut health and 
vigour, which never accompany growth made in too 
hot and close an atmosphere. For all specimens, 
whether in baskets or pots, the best compost is one 
consisting of rough fibrous loam, leaf-mould, or 
thoroughly-rotted hops, and coarse silver sand. Very 
few stakes are required for the support of plants 
grown in this way on account of their robust growth 
and vigour of constitution. They are indeed tree¬ 
like in the stoutness of their stems and dignified 
carriage, and are most effective when grown on with¬ 
out stopping. 
“ Begonias may be raised from seed with the 
greatest ease, and those who sow any but first-class 
seed will be occupying themselves in the production 
of plants that will afford no pleasure. The sowing 
season is during January, February, and March. 
Sow in well-drained pots or pans filled with a mix¬ 
ture of leaf-mould and silver sand, carefully sifted 
to remove lumps and stones. The mixture should 
be quite moist, but of course not wet or pasty. 
Sprinkle the seed on a smooth surface with great care, 
so as to distribute it evenly and tbinlyr. Cover it 
with a very slight sprinkling of dry silver sand, this 
being necessary to fix the seed, otherwise in moving 
the pans some of it might slip and run together. 
On no account allow the soil to get dry or every 
seed which has vegetated will be killed. This is the 
cause of much of the disappointment experienced 
in raising choice plants like these from seeds. The 
seed pans should be placed in a warm house and a 
moderate bottom heat will be useful to promote 
germination. Sheets of glass placed over them will 
prevent evaporation, which is detrimental, as the 
seed must never be dry, and watering is a delicate 
operation. However if there is need for water it 
must be given either by very careful use of a water¬ 
ing-pot with a fine rose, or by dipping. When the 
seedlings are large enough to be handled, prick them 
off into pans or pots, and repot as soon as they re¬ 
quire it, that is, when they begin to crowd one 
another.” 
The following is a selection of varieties 
possessing the qualities most to be desired:— 
CHOICE SINGLE-FLOWBEED BEGONIAS. 
Ball of Fire : brilliant fiery scarlet, intensely 
glowing; large compact flower. 
Dr. Masters : dark red crimson, immense spike, 
handsome habit; free-flowering and good for exhibi¬ 
tion. 
Dr. Sewell ; bright glowing crimson, extra fine. 
E. H. Woodall : bright orange scarlet, large. 
Golden Gem : golden yellow, round flower, 
erect habit; foliage splendidly mottled. 
Hon. Mrs. Brassey : intensely deep glowing 
crimson. 
Hon. and Rev. J. T. Boscawen : deep glowing 
crimson, very large and perfect form, grand spike. 
Lady Brooke : dark rose shaded with violet- 
magenta, round flower, strong erect habit; extra 
fine. 
Lady Hume Campbell : light pink, free; extra 
fine. 
Madame Stella ; bright rosy pink, very grace¬ 
ful, large round flower, the finest of its colour. 
Marquis of Bute : bright carmine crimson, 
large symmetrical round flowers ; superb. 
Snowflake : pure white, fine habit, very free; 
the finest of the whites. 
CHOICE DOUBLE-FLOWERED BEGONIAS. 
Davisii fl. PL. 8UPEEBA : brilliant crimson-scar¬ 
let; a^very grand variety; free habit. 
Dr. Duke: brilliant scarlet, very large noble 
flower, perfect as a Camellia. 
Eugene Lequin ; bright red, magniflcent. 
Formosa : bright rosy-ca'^mine, white centre, 
crimson margin, extra large, free; good for exhibi¬ 
tion. 
Gabriel Legros : fine sulphur-white, changing 
to yellow; resembles a compact rose, full and imbri¬ 
cated, profuse blooming ; extra fine. 
Glory of Stanstead : deep rose with white 
centre, very fine ; a grand variety. 
Madame Comesse : satiny salmon-rose, enor¬ 
mous full flower, very floriferous. 
Princess of "Wales : white, very full and free 
flowering; good habit and large bloom. 
Queen of Doubles : rich rosy-crimson, resem¬ 
bling a Tea Rose, grand habit and profusely 
flowering. 
Robin Adair : brilliant carmine-crimson, round 
petals, Camellia-shaped, free habit, superb. 
Rosa Monde : fresh rose colour, extra large ; 
grand. 
Wm. Bealby : deep velvety scarlet; grand. 
—T. M. 
THE WHITE TIGER-FLOWER. 
a FHE Tiger-flowers, a small group of Irids, 
d constituting the genus Tigridia, are 
extremely beautiful, as are most of the 
plants belonging to the IridacecB. 
Some of the Tigridias, as T. Pavonia and 
T. conchiflora, the former called also T. 
grandiflora , have long been Imown in gardens, 
where, however, their rich orange-scarlet, 
or yellow, curiously formed, and richly spotted 
flowers are none too often met with. The 
blossoms are mifortunately short-lived, lasting 
but one short day, but there is some compensa¬ 
tion in the succession of them ’which is pro¬ 
duced by healthy'and vigorous plants. 
From an account by Dr. Wallace, which 
accompanies a handsome coloured plate in The 
Garden (xxv. 6, pi. 421), it appears that the 
White Tiger-flower is an accidental seedling 
which originated with M. Hennequin, of 
Angers, some ten years ago. By him it was 
carefully fostered, and, after several narrow 
escapes of being lost, was distributed to the 
public. It first bloomed in this country in 
1883, and great was the satisfaction when its 
lovely large creamy white flower burst upon 
the view. The flower is larger than that of 
either T. Pavonia or T. conchiflora, and it 
lasts a little longer in perfection. It is also 
slower in opening, as comparing the bud with 
that of Pavonia, one would expect it to open 
a day earlier than it does. It appears to be 
as robust as Pavonia. We are indebted to 
Messrs. Carter & Co. for the illustration. 
T. Pavonia, which has bright scar^t flowers 
with orange markings, is a native of Mexico. 
