869.] THE CYCLAMEN. 183 



THE CYCLAMEN. 



It has been to me a matter of astonishment that this by far the most 

 beautiful of winter flowering-plants should not be more generally cul- 

 tivated. I have grown it successfully for some years with less trouble 

 and more satisfaction than any other flower I have ever attempted, 

 although I have had some experience in most of the plants ordinarily 

 shown at exhibitions. Few have any idea of the beauty of the Cycla- 

 men if judged by those miserable specimens ordinarily seen in Covent 

 Garden, or but too frequently met with in the houses of nurserymen. 



I will enumerate what I consider its valuable qualities, which all 

 who will follow the instructions about to be given cannot fail to 

 admit, whatever their opinion of the plant might hitherto have been. 

 The property of the Cyclamen consists in its being one of the most 

 easily grown of any of our winter favourites. It has a compact habit, 

 lovely foliage, exquisite fragrance in some of its varieties, long con- 

 tinuance of bloom, and to these must be added its greatest recom- 

 mendation — viz., being of all flowering-plants the best adapted to 

 indoor decoration. I have frequently had it in my sitting-room ; and 

 with most ordinary care it will flourish as well, or almost as well, as 

 in a conservatory. The only attention it demands is to have its leaves 

 brushed over every morning with a soft camel's-hair brush, dipped in 

 a little lukewarm water. I consider that unless we are enabled to 

 sponge the leaves of a plant, except some few Ferns, it is rarely 

 suitable as an indoor one ; but the Cyclamen is well adapted to this 

 daily ablution, and is the only means of keeping it in health when 

 confined in the dry atmosphere of a room constantly occupied. The 

 only objection I have ever heard against the Cyclamen is, that we 

 have not enough variety in colour ; but I hope even this solitary draw- 

 back will be eventually in some measure removed. 



I consider that the Cyclamen at fifteen months' growth ought to be 

 at least 1 foot in diameter, having a dense mass of thick variegated 

 leaves standing almost erect, and the flowers not more than 2 or 3 

 inches above the foliage. The flowers themselves should be broad in 

 the petals, about 2 inches in length, nearly round at the ends, and 

 having a slight regular twist in each segment of the corolla. 



I will give a description of how I proceed from the commencement, 

 as I generally prefer raising my own plants from seed. It evidently 

 most readily degenerates, as is the case with most of the Primulacese, 

 and therefore some judgment is necessary in hybridising these, but 

 which is easy, and in the majority of cases satisfactory, if the result is 

 noted ; and those not having the essential points above described are 

 at once discarded, and not kept to contaminate others. The best time 



