Bed H. 1, Golden Feather; Mesembryanthemum; 3, Mentha; 4, Alternanthera amabilis; or 1, Coleus Verschaffeltii; 2, Centaurea ragusina; 3, Calceolaria Golden Gem; 4, Ageratum Lady Jane.
BEDDING PLANTS. This term applies to many half-hardy subjects which are planted out in beds for summer display, such as Ageratums, Calceolarias, Geraniums, Heliotropes, Lobelias, Verbenas, &c., all of which will be treated under their respective headings. They are mostly soft-wooded plants and are easily cultivated with proper means, in spring and autumn.
BEDFORDIA (named in honour of a former Duke of Bedford). ORD. Compositæ. Greenhouse evergreen shrubs, allied to Cacalia. They thrive in a mixture of sand, peat, loam, and brick rubbish, in equal proportions. Propagated by cuttings, which should be dried a little before inserting them in rough, sandy soil.
B. salicina (willow-like). fl.-heads yellow, axillary and solitary, or few together. April. l. alternate, lanceolate, linear, glossy above, covered with white tomentum underneath. h. 3ft. Victoria and Tasmania, 1820. SYN. Cacalia salicina. (B. R. 923.)
BEDSTRAW. See Galium.
BEECH. See Fagus.
BEES. See Honey Bees, Humble Bees, and Wasps.
BEET ([Beta,] which see). The present varieties of Beetroot are the offspring of Beta vulgaris, a plant of biennial duration, and a native of the sea coasts of Southern Europe. It was cultivated in this country about 1656, but was probably long previously introduced by the ancient Romans. Beetroot is largely used as salad, more extensively on the Continent than with us, also pickled; medium sized, deeply coloured roots being the chief desideratum. Some varieties are largely grown for their highly-coloured foliage, being planted in bedding-out designs, and generally proving extremely effective.
