18 
THE GARDEN ALBUM AND REVIEW. 
any plants that are actually dry, or nearly dry, 
should have a thorough soaking. If, however, 
the soil is sufficiently moist to go from one 
period to another, it is better to wait, rather 
than to give water to a soil already fairly wet. 
The amount of water supplied will vary 
according to the weather and the growth of 
the plants. Thus, during warm weather, when 
the plants are growing freely, more water will 
be required than later on in the season when 
growth is ceasing, the flowers withering, and 
the stems and leaves begin to turn yellow and 
drop off one by one. 
Pinching and Disbudding.— To make fine 
bushy plants any early flower-buds that appear 
after the plants have been finally potted, should 
be pinched out so that the plants may first of 
all develop greater strength. The leading 
shoots may also have the points nipped out 
to encourage side shoots. In this way, strong, 
sturdy, bushy plants may be formed that will 
throw large quantities of blossom during the 
season. 
Manuring. —Once the plants are really well- 
established, and more than ordinary results are 
required, it will be found necessary to give 
weak liquid manure water two or three times a 
week. This may be made by placing a little 
guano, soot, and well-rotted cow manure into 
a bag, and dropping it into a tank or tub of 
water. The liquid should be stirred up well 
with a stout stick before use. About half-a- 
pint to a pint of liquid manure—according to 
its strength—will be sufficient to dilute a gallon 
of clear water. Of course, whenever rain 
water is available, it is always to be preferred 
to tap water. 
Planting Out.— The beds in which Begonias 
are to be planted out for summer decoration 
should be deeply dug, and have plenty of well 
decayed manure incorporated with the soil, as 
well as some leaf-mould, and grit, if the land 
is inclined to be at all heavy. The plants may 
be started in a greenhouse as advised above, 
but excellent results may be obtained without 
the aid of any heat whatever. Tubers may be 
started in coco-nut fibre in a cold frame in 
March, and by the first week in June will 
have growths two or three inches high. They 
may be then planted out, and although 
naturally more backward than plants raised in 
heat they are much better “stayers” during 
the season. Indeed they continue to bloom 
well into October until they are cut down by 
the frost. 
Lifting and Storing.— Once the plants 
begin to turn yellow, or are cut down by the 
early frosts the tubers should be taken up, 
cleaned after the growths are decayed, and 
stored in dry soil or sand in an airy frost-proof 
cellar until the following spring. 
Propagation. — Tuberous Begonias are easily 
raised from seeds, division of large tubers, or 
from cuttings of the side shoots. Unless one 
has the convenience for propagating, it will be 
found much more satisfactory to purchase 
tubers from a reliable source. When plants 
are to be raised from seeds the latter should be 
sown in January or February on the prepared 
surface of a rich gritty soil. Pots or shallow 
pans may be used and should be well-drained 
for about half their depth with clean “ crocks.” 
A layer of rough fibre or moss should be placed 
over these, and then the rougher particles of 
soil. The surface may be flat or slightly domed, 
but should be pressed fairly firm with a piece 
of flat board, so as to prevent the tiny brown 
seeds from dropping down too far. It is safe 
to dip the pots or pans in water rather than use 
the water pot. In this way the soil will be 
moistened without running any risk of washing 
the seeds into patches, as is likely to be done 
with the water pot. 
Pricking Out.— When the young plants are 
about J-inch high, each one may be lifted up 
with a pointed stick cleft at the apex, and trans¬ 
ferred to other pots or pans in a rich gritty 
compost, about an inch apart. In due course, 
after shading and sprinkling, the young plants 
begin to grow vigorously, and may be trans¬ 
ferred singly to small pots and grown on. The 
temperature at which seeds should be sown 
should be about 70° to 75 0 F., and the tender 
seedlings should be protected from cold 
draughts and chills. Young plants raised in 
this way will flower freely during the summer 
months, either in the greenhouse or in partially 
shaded places in the open air. 
Begonias, 
Carnations, 
OBBBEBBBnnBBHBBSnBHBBaHBaB 
Violets, 
&c., &c. 
MT 14 GOLD MEDALS. 
Illustrated Catalogue Post Free. 
BEGONIA SEED—Double, 2/6 and 5/s 
Single, 1/-, 2/6 and 5/-. 
Double Tubers from 3/6 to 30/- per doz.; 
Singles from 2/6 to 20/-. 
BLACKMORE A LANGDON, 
TWERTON HILL NURSERY, 
S BATH. 
