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FEB 1 510°° WwW | 
U. S. Department of Agr icuHure | 
7744 36th Avenue IN. 1 
SL ee ey Re Washington 
TUBEROUS ' BEGONTAS * 
Great strides have been maie by Gata cen Pybriaists: in improving, the 
Tuberous Begonia from more or less humble beginnings following the enact- 
ment of: the "Plant: quarantine Act of 1919. Frior to 1919 American Horti- 
culturists weré depending upon. coneaniniaa etait and Belgian sources for 
their supply of: bulbs. 
“We can now:safely state that the Beans in the hands of American 
Hybridists has surpassed ali European efforts. 
The various varieties and types that we are offering on these pages 
are really the finest available irrespective ae pues di 
A FS SIMPIZ SUGGESTIONS 
" AS TO; THE CULTURE OF 
~ -.< .TUBEROUS BEGONTAS FROM TUBERS - ° 
Place the tubers on trays in a warm space during late January or 
early February. Moisten the tubers slightly occasionally to permit them 
to start growth. When growth commences place the tubers in a mixture of 
Peatmoss and sand in trays 4 inches apart and $ inch below the soil sur- 
face. Keep them: uniformly moist: in a warm well-lighted place until the 
top growth reaches’ 3 or 4 inches, then plant.in a specially prepared bed 
in the open, if no' further Spring frosts are encountered, or plant them 
in pots. Remember that large size bulbs: require a pot size of 8 or 9 
inches. Bulbs measuring 13" to 2" should have a.7" pot. When potting, 
care must be taken not to disturb the root system. <A potting soil medium 
of 2/3 coarse leaf mold and 1/3 sandy loam’to which some: well-rotted 
manure has been added will give exceilent results. For fine Exhibition 
flowers, mix a small handful of fishmeal with the soil below the bulb. 
For the preparation of outdoor beds, a generous application of well-rotted 
cow manure should be added and if the soil is very heavy, give also a 
generous: application of coarse sand. As begonias‘are gross feeders, they 
should be given a monthly feeding of liquid ‘fish concentrate. After trans- 
planting, gentle overhead watering should be resorted to until plants are 
well established. As Begonias are shallow rooted, a steady supply of 
moisture to the root system throughout the growing season is absolutely 
ae ae for best success. 
VARTRTTES OF TUBEROUS BEGONTAS | 
AUTUMN. GLOW ~ Extremely large flower of cristata type, the tufts or 
crests area “deep copper, contrasting with the apricot general coloring. 
Very attractive and luxuriant foliage. The flowers sometimes measure ten 
pee acCrosse ~ Large usbe!. - Hach 75 cents. 
 BASCINATION - Marginata or Pitotee igtees A erispa Syowers white with 
pik ne Very outstanding.. - uprep bulbs: - " Bach 79 cents. Fah 
RED TRIUMPH - Very Lerde ae of ruffled: phi ines type of ruby red 
with a @ deep ep velvety sheen. - Large bulbs - Hach 75 cents. 
