Cultivation: For obtaining the best results, an open situation should
be chosen, free from the shade of trees. The ground should be light
and sandy, and, if possible, that which has been previously manured
for some other crop, French beans, for instance. Trench the soil to a
depth of 2ft. in the autumn, and ridge it up for the winter. As soon
as dry enough to allow of working in spring, dig over the whole bed
with a steel digging fork, and break the soil tolerably fine. Sow any
time from the last week in April to the end of May. Prepare the drills
about a foot or 15in. apart, and from 1in. to 2in. deep. The seeds grow
quicker if steeped in water previous to sowing, afterwards allowing
them to get dry enough to separate from each other. Sow thinly, and
fill in the drills with a rake. As soon as the plants are up, hoe
between the rows, and keep free from weeds. In a fortnight or three
weeks after this hoeing, if the weather has been favourable, the plants
will be large enough for thinning. Thin out to about 9in. apart,
and carefully fill up, in dull weather, any blanks that may occur.
Transplanting is, however, not generally a very satisfactory method.
Carefully lift the roots in autumn, before frost comes, and wring off
the leaves about an inch from the crowns. Place the roots in a cool
shed or house, and allow the soil on them to get quite dry, when they
may be stored for winter use in dry sand, or soil, in a shed free from
frost. It is preferable to keep the crowns free from soil, to prevent
decay from the ends of the leaves left on them. If this be carefully
done, the roots will keep till the next season's early crop is ready.
In all processes connected with the growing, storing, or cooking of
this vegetable, the greatest care must be taken to avoid bruising or
otherwise injuring the roots, as deficiency of colour would be the
result, especially in the case of the red-fleshed kinds, in some cases
rendering them valueless for table use. Seed Saving: When lifting the
crop in autumn, select as many of the best formed and coloured roots as
required, and store them separately from the rest. In April, plant them
in a spot by themselves, where there is no danger of impregnation from
other varieties, and in due time good seed will ripen. If good foliaged
varieties are required, the best should be selected when growing in the
summer, and either be marked by some means, or have the inferior ones
removed from them.
_Sorts._ These are somewhat numerous--almost every seedsman having a
so-called "improved strain." Nutting's Dwarf Red, Chelsea, Pine Apple,
Dell's Crimson and Red Castelnaudary, are the best of the crimson or
red-fleshed kinds. The Egyptian Turnip-rooted is a distinct variety,
with flesh of a good colour, and fine flavour; excellent for summer
salads. Betterave de Bretagne is a Continental variety; the roots grow
to a good size, with a distinct outer skin of a dark colour; flesh
rich purple. The best of the yellow-fleshed kinds are Small Yellow and
Long Yellow (see Fig. 222); but these are not grown nearly so much as
the deep-coloured section; in fact, they are almost useless for garden
purposes.
[Illustration: FIG. 223. WHITE LEAF BEETROOT.]
_Beetroot for Bedding Purposes_: In this case, where the foliage is
the main object, the seed may be sown in a reserve bed, and the plants
transferred to their positions in the flower garden. If, however, a
line is required in a ribbon or other border, the best plan is to sow
there, and thin out the plants to equal distances. Dell's Crimson is
one of the best varieties for this purpose, being very compact and of
a good dark colour.
Varieties of the Leaf Beet (_Beta Cicla_), and Sea or Perennial
Beet (_Beta maritima_), are sometimes, but very seldom, cultivated
for the use of the leafstalks and leaves, the roots being hard and
unfit for cooking purposes. They are at the best but substitutes for
other vegetables--namely, the midrib for Sea-kale and the leaves
for Spinach. If desired, seeds may be sown in the way described for
Beetroot, in April for using in autumn and winter, and in August for
spring use, plants of the latter sowing being protected in severe
weather. The best sorts are Red-stalked, Yellow-stalked, and White (see
Fig. 223) or Silver Leaf.
=BEET CARRION BEETLE= (_Silpha opaca_). This destructive insect is
frequently found in dead animals, but often its grub almost destroys
the leaves of Beet and Mangold Wurzel crops. The grubs, which are black
and shining, when full grown are from 1/3in. to 1/2in. long; the three
segments next the head are rounded at the sides, but the other segments
are sharp, and the tail segment has a sharp spine on each side. "When
full-fed, the grubs bury themselves, and form cells at the depth of
3in. or 4in. below the surface of the earth, in which they turn to
pupæ, and from these the Beetle has been seen to come up in about
the space of a fortnight or three weeks" (Ormerod). The Beetles are
flattish, and about five lines long, brown-black, with a tawny down;
eyes large and oval; horns club-shaped; body somewhat oval; wing-cases
very flat, turned up at the outer edge, each case having three sharp
ridges running along it; tip of abdomen dull red. Any manures or
methods of cultivation that would stimulate growth in the plants, so as
to permit renovation of injuries, would be found useful. If farmyard
manure were applied to the soil intended for Beet _in the autumn_
instead of in spring, it would lessen the risk of attack to the Beets.
[Illustration: FIG. 224. COMMON GARDEN BEETLE.]
[Illustration: FIG. 225. DEVIL'S COACH HORSE.]
=BEETLES= (_Coleoptera_). Beetles form one of the most extensive
orders of insects, there being upwards of 3000 known British species.
They vary much in appearance, but a Beetle is readily recognised by
its front wings, or elytra; these form a tough horny sheath or case,
which lies over the real wings, and protects them when the insect is
not flying. Sometimes, the elytra are very short (see Fig. 225); the
mouth is fitted with jaws for cutting. The metamorphosis is complete,
_i.e._, the larva or grub is very unlike either the quiescent pupa or
the perfect insect. The period that elapses before Beetles arrive at
their perfect state varies from a few weeks to two or three years, but
is usually rather longer than in Butterflies or Bees. Various Beetles
attack growing plants and roots. Thus, _Otiorhynchus sulcatus_ and
_O. picipes_ attack Vines, Roses, and other plants, gnawing off the
bark. Some species of Beetles attack Mushrooms, while others bore into
the wood of old trees, or eat leaves (_e.g._ Turnip Fly), or burrow
in the leaves, or form galls on roots (Cabbage-gall Weevil). Of some
kinds, the beetles are hurtful; of others, the larvæ. Many kinds,
however, are beneficial, such, for instance, as the common Ground
Beetle (_Carabus_, Fig. 224), and the Devil's Coach Horse (_Ocypus
olens_, Fig. 225). These live upon other insects and snails. One kind
of Beetle--the Ladybird (see Figs. 226 and 227)--is very beneficial in
a garden, as it preys upon the aphides, or plant lice. For instructions
in dealing with the noxious kinds, _see_ =Asparagus Beetle=, =Bean
Beetle=, =Beet Carrion Beetle=, =Click Beetle=, =Cockchafer=, =Lily
Beetle=, =Rosechafer=, and =Turnip Fly=.
[Illustration: FIG. 226. SEVEN-SPOTTED LADYBIRD.]
[Illustration: FIG. 227. GRUB OF LADYBIRD. (Enlarged).]
=BEET= or =MANGOLD FLY= (_Anthomyia betæ_). The maggots of this fly
do considerable damage by feeding on the pulp of the Beet or Mangold
leaves. The eggs are small, white, and oval, and are laid in small
patches beneath the leaves; the maggots are about 1/3in. long, legless,
cylindrical, and yellowish-white. As it is of such recent appearance in
this country, specifics for its eradication are by no means numerous;
but, according to Miss Ormerod, "the best treatment appears to be to
nip it in the bud, where such treatment is possible, by destroying the
infested plants, but generally by all means of good cultivation, or by
special applications of artificial manure, to ensure a hearty growth,
which may run the plants on past the power of average attacks to weaken
the leafage to a serious extent."
=BEFARIA= (named in honour of Bejar, a Spanish botanist). ORD.
_Ericareæ_. SYN. _Bejaria_. An elegant genus of greenhouse evergreen
shrubs, closely allied to _Rhododendron_. Flowers bracteate; corolla
very deeply seven-cleft, spreading. Leaves racemose or corymbose,
crowded, quite entire, coriaceous. They thrive in a compost of peat and
loam. Propagated by cuttings, made of the young wood, and placed in
sandy soil, in gentle heat.
=B. æstuans= (glowing).* _fl._ purple; corymbs terminal, simple;
peduncles, pedicels, rachi, calyces, and branchlets clothed with
clammy glandular hairs. _l._ elliptic, rather glabrous above,
but downy and glaucous beneath, while young clothed with rusty
tomentum. Plant much branched; branchlets sub-verticillate. _h._
10ft. to 15ft. Peru, 1846. SYN. _Acunna oblonga_. (G. C. 1848, 119.)
=B. cinnamomea= (cinnamon-coloured). _fl._ purple; panicles close,
terminal; peduncles woolly, hispid. _l._ slightly downy above,
rusty tomentose beneath. Branches downy, hispid. _h._ 4ft. Peru,
1847.
=B. coarctata= (close-headed). _fl._ purple; corymbs terminal,
simple; peduncles, pedicels, rachi, and calyces clothed with rusty
tomentum. _l._ oblong, glabrous, glaucous beneath. Shrub much
branched. _h._ 4ft. to 5ft. Peru, 1847. (G. C. 1848, 175.)
=B. glauca= (glaucous).* _fl._ flesh-coloured; racemes terminal and
axillary; pedicels somewhat fastigiate. June. _l._ oblong, obtuse,
glaucous beneath. Shrub much branched; branchlets angular. _h._
3ft. to 6ft. South America, 1826.
=B. ledifolia= (Ledum-leaved).* _fl._ purple; racemes terminal;
peduncles, pedicels, rachi, branchlets, and calyces clothed with
clammy glandular hairs. _l._ oblong, somewhat mucronate, with
revolute edges, glaucous beneath, glandular. Shrub much branched;
branches purplish. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. South America, 1847. (F. d. S.
3, 195.)
=B. racemosa= (racemed). _fl._ purple, disposed in racemose
terminal panicles. July. _l._ ovate-lanceolate, glabrous;
branchlets smooth or hispid. _h._ 3ft. to 5ft. Georgia, 1810.
=BEGONIA= (named after M. Begon, a French patron of botany). ORD.
_Begoniaceæ_. A large genus of succulent herbs or undershrubs (a
few climbers), in many of which the stem is reduced to a tuberous
rhizome, whilst some are distinctly tuberous. Flowers usually showy and
large, white, rose, scarlet, or yellow, unisexual; perianth segments
petaloid, four to five divisions, rarely two. Stamens numerous,
filaments free or united at the base. Ovary inferior, styles two to
four, free, sometimes connate, stigmas brandied or twisted. Fruit
capsular, rarely succulent, often winged. Seeds numerous, minute.
Leaves alternate, more or less unequal-sided, entire, or lobed,
or toothed. Flower-stalks axillary, cymose. Distribution: Species
about 350, in all tropical moist countries, especially South America
and India; not known in Australia. Cultivated species (exclusive of
garden hybrids and varieties) about 150. A large number of genera,
or what were considered as such are now merged in Begonia--viz.,
_Barya_, _Baryandra_, _Casparya_, _Pritzelia_, &c. The rich colours
and beautiful form of the flowers of Begonias, their prettily-marked
foliage, and free-growing, free-blooming nature, have long marked
them out as favourite garden plants. Within the last twenty years a
new race, characterised by a tuberous root-stock, annual herbaceous
stem, and large handsome flowers, has been introduced from the Andes
of South America, from which, by means of careful cross-fertilisation
and selection, a large number of beautiful and almost hardy kinds have
been raised. The size, substance, and rich colours of the flowers of
the majority of the plants of this race of Begonias are witness to
what may be done by skilful cultivation and careful cross-breeding
among plants. In the same way the large-leaved, stemless section, of
which _B. Rex_ may be taken as the type and principal progenitor, have
been improved both in the size and the coloration of their foliage,
and countless forms are now in cultivation, both as garden plants and
for the decoration of rooms, &c. The propagation of Begonias may be
accomplished by means of seeds, which are freely produced by almost all
the cultivated kinds, by cuttings, by division of the rhizomes, and--in
the case of the large-leaved kinds--by leaf-cuttings. For the first of
these methods it is necessary that the seeds should be well ripened
before they are gathered, and kept dry until sown. Where it is desired
to increase any particular kind of garden origin, seeds are useless,
none of the hybrid or seedling forms perpetuating themselves through
their seeds, although equally beautiful sorts may be raised from them.
The characters of all true species are, however, reproduced in their
seedlings. For the successful raising of Begonia seeds it is necessary
to sow them on pans or pots of well-drained, light, sandy soil, which
should be well watered before the seeds are sown. The seeds should not
be covered with soil, or they will fail to germinate. Over the pans a
pane of glass should be placed, and they should then be stood in warm
house or a frame where a temperature of about 65deg. can be maintained,
and shaded from sunshine. As soon as the plantlets are large enough to
be safely manipulated, they should be pricked off into pans of light
leaf-mould soil, in which they may remain until large enough to be
placed singly in pots. Cuttings: These strike freely if planted in
small pots, in sand and leaf mould, and placed on a bottom heat of
70deg. Where large quantities are required, a bed of cocoa nut-fibre
in a stove or propagating frame may be used, and in this the cuttings
may be planted and remain until well rooted. Leaf cuttings succeed best
when laid on sand or cocoa-nut fibre, and shaded from bright sunlight.
In preparing the leaves, old, well-matured ones should be selected, and
incisions made with a sharp knife across the principal nerves on the
underside. They should then be placed on the sand or fibre and held
down by means of a few pieces of crock. Under this treatment, bulbils
will form on the lower ends of the nerves of each section of the leaf,
and these, when large enough, may be removed from the bed and potted.
With the exception of _B. Evansiana_ (_discolor_), an almost hardy
species from North China, all the shrubby species require a warm or
intermediate house for their cultivation, although during the summer
months a frame or sheltered bed answers for most of them, provided they
are removed into their warm winter quarters on the approach of cold
weather. Some of the species, such as _B. Dregei_, _B. semperflorens_,
_B. nitida_, _B. fuchsioides_, _B. Lindleyana_, _B. Richardsiana_,
along with the hybrids _Ascotensis_, _Knowsleyana_, _Weltoniensis_,
and _Ingramii_, are grown in pots out of doors all the summer, and
under liberal treatment they form large handsome specimens, which are
of great value as flowering plants for the conservatory in winter. The
tuberous-rooted herbaceous kinds should be started in heat in February,
and, when vigorous growth has commenced, be gradually hardened off,
for use either as bedding plants or as pot specimens for flowering in
the greenhouse. A mixture of loam and leaf mould with a little sand
and rotten cow-dung is suitable for the cultivation of these plants
in pots. Liberal supplies of water should be given during the growing
season. As the growth decays, water should be withheld until finally
the tubers may be shaken out of the soil and placed in dry sand or
cocoa-nut fibre, in a house or shed where a temperature above freezing
can be maintained. _B. gracilis_ and its varieties, _diversifolia_
and _Martiana_, are beautiful greenhouse plants, which thrive well
if treated as advised for the other tuberous-rooted kinds, with the
addition of a few more degrees of heat.
The _Rex_ section requires a light rich soil, plenty of moisture, and
a shaded position in a warm greenhouse. These kinds are often employed
with good effect for clothing peat-covered walls in ferneries, or as
an undergrowth in large tropical houses. Large specimens have been
grown under the stage in a warm house, the shade and moisture of such
a position being exactly what they best delight in.
_B. socotrana_, an interesting species from the island of Socotra,
is somewhat singular in its requirements. The stem is herbaceous and
annual, and about its base a cluster of bulbils are formed, from every
one of which a plant will be developed the following year. The growing
season for this species is from September to March, after which it goes
to rest for the whole summer. A tropical temperature and all the light
possible, are essential to the well-doing of this plant.
It is interesting to note the apparent impossibility to cross any of
the shrubby Begonias with the distinctly tuberous-rooted species; and
even the species of the shrubby section, whose stems are semi-tuberous,
have hitherto refused to commingle with the South American tuberous
kinds, of which _B. Veitchii_, _B. rosæflora_, and _B. boliviensis_
may be said to be typical. The infusion of the blood of these large,
handsome-flowered kinds into the tall, shrubby species, would
almost certainly result in the production of a race of splendid
winter-flowering greenhouse plants, and it is therefore in every way
desirable that no pains should be spared to break through the obstacle
to the union of the two races.
Explanation of contractions: T, tuberous-rooted; S, shrubby.
=B. acerifolia= (Acer-leaved). S. A tall-growing, thick,
succulent-stemmed species, with green, lobed, serrated foliage,
and large branching cymes of small white flowers; sepals of male
flowers hairy; styles three, two-horned. Capsule triangular, with
one of the angles prolonged into an obtuse wing. Spring. Quito,
1829.
=B. acuminata= (taper-pointed-leaved). S. A low shrubby species,
having semi-cordate, oblong, pointed leaves, with toothed margins,
and the nerves on the under side and the petiole pilose. _fl._
white, in cymes, nearly 1in. across. Capsule wings, two short, the
third 1/2in. long. Spring. Jamaica, 1798. (B. M. 4025.)
=B. acutifolia= (acute-leaved). S. A smooth-stemmed, semi-erect
species, 3ft. to 4ft. high, with cordate-oblong leaves, both sides
and petiole glabrous, the margins denticulate. _fl._ in cymes,
white and red, about 1in. in diameter. Capsule winged, one wing
twice as long as the others. Spring. Jamaica, 1816. SYN. _B.
purpurea_.
=B. acutiloba= (acute-lobed).* A species with thick fleshy
rhizomes, and palmate cordate leaves which are divided into five
to seven lobes, with toothed margins and pointed apices, under
side thinly covered with brown hairs. Flower-stalk tall, hairy,
surmounted by a branching head of rather large white flowers.
Summer. Mexico.
=B. albo-coccinea= (white and red).* Stemless, with a thick
root-stock. _l._ broadly ovate, peltate, entire, 3in. to 4in. long;
petiole 3in. to 6in., pubescent. Flower-scape 6in. to 9in. long.
_fl._ in dense cluster, bright rose on the outside, white within.
Capsule regularly triangular, with short wings. Summer. India,
1844. SYN. _B. Grahamiana_. (B. M. 4172.)
=B. alchemilloides= (Alchemilla-like). Stem fleshy, creeping.
_l._ rotundate, with toothed, undulate, ciliated margins and
short stalks. Flower-stem slender, few-flowered. _fl._ small,
rose-coloured. Summer. Brazil.
=B. amabilis= (lovely).* Stem creeping, fleshy, short. _l._ ovate,
crenulate, acuminate, about 6in. long, tomentose, dark green,
blotched with white, under side purple-red. Flower-stalk 9in.
long. _fl._ rose or white, in clustering cymes. Capsule irregular.
Summer. Assam, 1859. The foliage sometimes comes wholly green, but,
under good treatment, it is handsomely variegated.
=B. amœna= (pleasing).* Rhizome tuberous. Stem none, or very
short. _l._ 3in. by 2in.; leafstalk 3in. Flower-stem 6in. long,
few-flowered. _fl._ medium sized, pale rose. Capsule wings small,
nearly equal. Summer. North India, 1878. SYN. _B. erosa_.
=B. ampla= (large). S. Stem 1ft. to 2ft. high, very stout, woody.
_l._ long-stalked, 8in. to 10in. in diameter, broadly ovate,
cordate, pointed, when young densely covered with rusty stellate
down. _fl._ on short petioles, rose-coloured, 2in. wide. Fruit a
succulent berry, small. Summer. Guinea.
=B. aptera= (wingless). Stem herbaceous. _l._ heart-shaped,
pointed, shining green. _fl._ in short axillary cymes, white,
small. Capsule four-angled. Spring. Celebes, 1878.
=B. arborescens= (tree-like). S. A large growing species,
sometimes forming a bush 8ft. to 10ft. in height. _l._ pale green,
ear-shaped, 6in. long. _fl._ in large cymose clusters, white,
small. Summer. Brazil.
=B. argyrostigma= (silvery-spotted). Synonymous with _B. maculata_.
=B. Arnottiana= (Arnott's). Synonymous with _B. cordifolia_.
=B. asplenifolia= (Asplenium-leaved). S. A slender-stemmed,
beautifully cut-leaved species, the foliage of which is
pinnatisect, giving the plant the appearance of a Thalictrum rather
than a Begonia. _fl._ very small, white. Guinea.
=B. assamica= (Assam). Stem short, fleshy. _fl._ pinkish
flesh-colour. _l._ oblique ovate, olive-green, marbled with silvery
blotches above, and of a pale purplish-pink beneath; petioles pale
green, softly hairy. Assam, 1883.
=B. attenuata= (attenuated). Synonymous with _B. herbacea_.
=B. aucubæfolia= (Aucuba-leaved). Synonymous with _B. incarnata_.
=B. auriformis= (ear-formed). Synonymous with _B. incana_.
=B. barbata= (bearded). S. Stem short, hairy. _l._ toothed,
oval-shaped, pointed, hispid beneath, 4in. long. _fl._
medium-sized, white or pink; flower-stalk hairy. Capsule
equal-winged. Summer. India.
=B. Berkeleyi= (Berkeley's).* T. A garden hybrid, with thick,
fleshy stems, and long ear-shaped foliage. _fl._ in erect panicles,
rose-coloured. A useful winter-flowering kind.
=B. bipetala= (two-petaled). Synonymous with _B. dipetala_.
=B. biserrata= (doubly-serrated). S. Stem erect, branched, 2ft.
to 3ft. high. _l._ 6in. long, 2in. to 3in. wide, deeply lobed,
toothed, pale green. _fl._ in loose cymes, drooping, rose-coloured,
1-1/2in. wide, serrated edges. Capsule pilose, two short and one
long wings. Summer. Guatemala, 1847. (B. M. 4746.)
=B. boliviensis= (Bolivian).* T. Stem herbaceous, succulent, 2ft.
high, branching. _l._ lanceolate, pointed, serrate, 3in. to 5in.
long. _fl._ in drooping panicles, large, scarlet, males twice as
large as females. Capsule three-winged. Summer. Bolivia, 1857. (B.
M. 5657.)
=B. Bowringiana= (Bowring's). Synonymous with _B. laciniata_. (B.
M. 5657.)
=B. braziliana= (Brazilian). S. Stem erect, tall, succulent. _l._
oblique, ovate, toothed, slightly pubescent; principal nerves
brownish; stalk hairy. _fl._ white or rose, small, in short,
few-flowered cymes. Capsule wing 1/2in. long. Summer. Brazil.
=B. Bruantii= (Bruant's).* B. A garden hybrid between _B. Schmidti_
and _B. semperflorens_. _l._ green, with a brownish tint. _fl._
white or rose, in erect panicles. Summer, 1883. Used as a bedding
plant in summer.
=B. bulbifera= (bulb-bearing). Most likely a form of _B. gracilis_.
=B. caffra= (Kaffrarian). A variety of _B. Dregei_.
=B. carolineæfolia= (Carolinea-leaved). S. Stem erect, thick,
fleshy. _l._ palmate, curiously divided into six to eight long
ovate segments, each 6in. long. _fl._ in a dichotomous cyme, on
long stalk, rose-coloured, small. Capsule small, wings one longer
than others. Winter. Mexico, 1876. A singular-leaved species. (R.
G. 1-25.)