The Philipsburg mail., 1899-08-11
ARELOVELY FLOWERS
MODERN BEGONIAS VERSUS
OLD-FASHION VARIETIES.
Blossoms of Great Beauty-Tull Direc-
tions How They should BE Taken
Care OF to Achieve the Best Results
Hanging Baskets.
(LondOn letter.

the begonias of the present day can be
improved upon, the double varieties
especially having reached a high pitch
of perfection. Their blossoms (Which
a few years ago, though fine, were in
:lined to hang their heads, now show
themselves to the greatest advantage
On erect, stout footstalks, and every
possible shade of rich, warm and deli
cate color Is represented among them.
They are also so easily managed (even
in a Window that they may be grown
by all, for as soon as sharp frosts ar
rive in the autumn they go to rest for
the winter and can be safely stored in
fairly warm cupboard until the
spring arrives, when they will start,
If laid on a tray of light. moist soil,
without fire heat. although, OF course,
with the help Of a greenhouse they
may be induced to bloom earlier. Pot
ted up in the smallest sized pot which
will conveniently hold the tuber (near
the surface and only half covered with
soiD, they should be watered with care
and shifted on as they grow; for they
should not be allowed to become pot
bound or they will soon cease to
flower.
They may be grown in jadoo. or in
compost Of turfy mold, leaf mold and
old hotbed material, with little SCOT
and sand; but for the first potting the
manure should be omitted as there is
a danger of the tubers rotting off il
then placed in rich soil. The compost
should be in -airly moist state when
used, but over-watering must be avoid
ed until the tubers have formed roots.
when they will need more plentiful
supply. In fact. in warm, dry weather
begonias should be watered twice
day, always supplying them with te-
pid water, as the sudden check of
cold douche is apt to make them drop
their buds. Plenty of air, too, is nee
essary for their welfare as soon as the
first start has been made; but all sud
den changes of temperature are also
dangerous to the half-open blooms, es-
pecially when the plants have been too
much coddled in a warm greenhouse.
The best remedy for the unpleasant
habit which some of these plants show
of dropping their buds just as they
show color is an abundance of air and
careful watering. when more robust
growth will soon be made and the flow
ers will then open properly. OF the
new double varieties for this season.
the Sirdar is one of the best, in the
most brilliant crimson, erect and of
fine form. Miss Sankey, with silvery
pink petals, is a typical flower c. per-
feet habit and form, dwarf and COM
pact, as all the best plants of these be-
gonias should be; while Sappho is a
magnificent flower in salmon pink mot
tied with carmine (also quite erect;
and Florence Nightingale, in purest
white, is unique flower of great size,
exquisitely formed; Roland Yorke is
like a fine camelia. in rich pink, with
distinct white eye; Nina resembles
the well-known rose, L'Ideal, in color,
crimson and apricot being equally
blended in it's petals; Nine. La Bar
onne de st. Didier is a model plant,
with primrose yellow flowers; Melpo-
meme is equally good. with deep golden
blossoms, and Royal Sovereign has
fmbriated petals, magnificent flower,
also in deep yellow. Among the Grim
son varieties, Regina Victoria is one
Of the BEST the petals being fimbrated
and the color not to be surpassed for
richness and depth. The Rev. II. M.
Ward, too, is very fine, with first
rate habit, erect and dwarf; while Lu-
cretia is in creamy white, with hm-
briated petals-a most beautiful va
riety. A new departure has been
made of late in the fringed or bearded
petaled varieties, the popularity OF
which is that number OF the petals
are composed of fine tassel or fringe,
while others retain the more ordinary
form, giving the flower a curious but
beautiful effect, as shown in the Illus