1. B. nitida, native of Jamaica, with pinkish white flowers, and large,
thick, shining leaves. May be had in bloom all the year, and made into
handsome specimens.
2. B. spathulata, another West Indian, with a very erect habit of growth.
The leaves are folded in like spoons, and the small white flowers appear
at the ends of the young growth. It flowers from August to December, and
is but an average kind.
3. B. odorata, a Brazilian kind allied to the last, but has a fine
foliage, resembling nitida, the flowers came out like the last from
August to December, are much larger and sweet scented.
4. B. hirtella, a Brazilian species, with a rather starved looking habit
of growth, but an abundance of small, pinky white flowers, appearing from
June to December.
5. B. ulmifolia, a South American, with elm like leaves, but of no great
beauty of flower. Only desirable to form a collection.
6. B. argyrostigma, a Brazilian species, with curiously spotted leaves,
which is its chief attraction. The flowers appear from June to December.
It is a very strong grower—occupies much room.
7. B. hydrocotylifolia, a Brazilian pretty species. It is herbaceous, or
has its leaves from a rhizoma creeping on the surface. Its pink flowers,
borne on scapes about a foot high, appear from February to May.
8. B. parvifolia, a native of the Cape of Good Hope. It has very small
leaves, grows about 2 feet high, and is always in flower. A white
flowering and desirable kind.
9. B. albo-coccinea, a West Indian. Its oblique leaves are almost round,
are very large and thick, and of a deep red beneath. The flowers appear
from February to May; white on the inside, and scarlet on the back. The
best of the rhizoma producing kinds.
10. B. nomonyma, a Brazilian species, in the way of B. manicata, with
small white flowers, continuing from July to November.
11. B. castaneæfolia. The specimens that I have seen growing are so like
B. ulmifolia, that I have either not seen the true species or they are
both the same.
12. B. Fischeri, a rather scarce Brazilian species, but one of the most
desirable, approaching B. incarnata. In the spring months it is covered
with its numerous pink or white flowers.
13. B. incarnata, a South American, that should be No. 1 in all
collections. Its pink flowers may be had nearly all the year.
14. B. coccinea, another first rate Brazilian. A strong grower, covered
with spikes of scarlet flowers from April to July.
15. B. manicata, from Brazil. A fine species when well grown, though the
individual flowers are indifferent. The leaves are distinguished by a
production resembling the claws of a mole on their under surface. Flowers
in winter and spring.
16. B. fuchsoides, a well known species from New Grenada, with fuchsia
like foliage, and scarlet flowers, appearing from June to September, a
strong grower and fine kind.
The species of this division are readily propagated from cuttings of
the half ripened wood, put in sand, and plunged in a slight bottom
heat. They are liable to damp off if kept too close. Indeed if they are
in a situation somewhat shaded they will do better without the usual
accompaniment of a bell glass. They will grow well in a soil of sandy
loam and leaf mould. They should never be grown in very large pots; or,
in the language of gardeners, should be always under potted. When growing
fast they take a good supply of moisture; love a moist atmosphere and
frequent applications of the syringe, and may be placed in the full
light. If a moist atmosphere cannot be maintained, they will do better in
a shaded part of the green house. The chief thing to guard against, is
their damping off; small, well drained pots are the securities. When they
are not growing they will live and do better with very little water. They
are easily raised from seed, sown on the surface of the soil in pans, and
placed in a warm shaded place, with the only attention of never being
allowed to get dry. Some fine varieties, I believe, have been lately
raised by hybridizing in Europe. It opens a fine field.
I think the remark of the Calendar writer in the last No. worthy of
repetition; that the Horticultural Society would do well to encourage the
growth of the Begonia by a premium.