The Garden Under Glass

42 THE GARDEN UNDER GLASS Begonias from Tubers The great ad vantage of buying tubers or growing along such as were flowered the previous year is that we are sure of the kind and colour of the flowers, and such assurances cannot be given by any seedsman, though there is always a strong presumption as to their eventual character. A fair price has to be paid for good tubers but they are really worth it. I have a great liking for the doubles for green-house work. They last longer and are more imposing than the singles, which, however, are by no means to be despised. The starting of the tubers may take place in February, though if several are grown it would be an advantage to divide them into several batches so as to keep up a succession over several months. Personally I am of opinion that begonias do not relish root disturbance, and for this reason I make it a practice to break them up only once in three years. Another point worth noting is that they like a somewhat spongy soil made only moderately firm. It will be noticed that in a firm soil most of the roots will be found near the surface. Where the policy of leaving the plants in their pots is pursued, they should, before starting, be put into a tank or pail of water for at least an hour to make sure that the whole ball of soil is saturated. After this, draining of surplus water must be arranged for and introduction to a temperature of about 6o°. Shading from bright sunshine is essential while in a close, moist atmosphere, though rigid adherence to this precept when in cooler and airier quarters is not imperative. I do not advise overliead syringing. Not until the plants dry quickly should they be fed, and then it may be done with liquid cow manure,