Growing Begonias - A Result of World War I 
The business of growing Tuberous Rooted Begonias from seed in this 
country was an idea I picked up in Belgium while in the American Army dur- 
in World War I. Upon my return from service, I imported seed and started 
trying to grow Tuberous Rooted Begonias. After eight years of discouraging 
trials I at last produced a few plants that bloomed. Then, by constant vigil- 
ance and some help from very good friends, I succeeded in putting the Tuber- 
ous Rooted Begonia across in this country. 
By constantly working with the shade-loving Tuberous Rooted Begonia, 
I began to realize that there are a great many shady places around a home 
that have been neglected, so am trying to help those in that predicament by 
erowing all the good shade-loving annuals I can find. I wish to express my 
sincere thanks to those customers who have so kindly recommended the 
Tuberous Rooted Begonia to their friends and have referred them to Lowe’s. 
Garden and Service Club Lectures 
We have compiled an illustrated talk on Tuberous Rooted Begonias and 
shade-loving companion plants which is available to garden clubs and groups 
interested in cultural information or civie and service clubs that are interested 
in a program with something different and entertaining. 
The program consists of a movie and lecture which usually takes about an 
hour after which I will be glad to answer any questions relative to the subject 
discussed. These talks are available at all times of the vear except during 
May or June. Usually the summer months are most suitable, for, at that 
time we have plenty of bloom with which to prove our story. 
There is a charge for these lectures, for transportation, and a small fee 
which we use to constantly increase and improve film. 
Cultural Information - Tuberous Rooted Begonias 
This is what experience has taught us as the most suecessful culture of Tuber- 
ous-Rooted Begonias in the northern half of the United States, especially in and 
around the region of the Great Lakes: 
WHEN TO PLANT 
The plants, when started, should not be 
planted outdoors until June 1, as:a sudden 
drop of temperature that we are apt to 
have before June 1, would give them a 
very definite check. This can be avoided 
by waiting a few days longer for more 
settled weather. 
WHERE TO PLANT 
They must be planted in shade, receiving 
good light but no direct sunlight — the 
north side of a wall, hedge or building or 
under trees, provided the branches are not 
too close to the ground where the light is 
broken up by filtering through leafy 
branches. They also must have good air- 
circulation but dislike strong wind, as that 
may snap the stems at top of the soil. It is 
well, on planting outside, to stake imme- 
diately, especially if they receive any 
amount of breeze, for the continual sway- 
ing is apt to injure cells at top of ground, 
and with an excessive rainy spell thereby 
provide an entrance for damp-off fungus. 
By keeping them staked, this can be nearly 
all prevented. 
SOIL 
The plants require a porous, well- 
drained soil such as 1-3 stone or gravel 
(garden pea to hickory nut in size), 1-3 
clay loam, 1-3 rotten cow-manure or Peat 
Moss. If cow-manure is not available, use 
Peat Moss for humus and then add 1 pound 
Super Phosphate to 1 bushel of soil. 
(Continued on page 4) 
