222 THE GARDENER. [May 



to be supposed Mr Wiggins is the sole successful cultivator of the Cyclamen in 

 the London district, but because he may be said to have been the father of the 

 improved system of culture that has made the Cyclamen, during the past few 

 years, such a striking feature at the early metropolitan exhibitions. Such illus- 

 trations of Cyclamen culture as Mr Wiggins and others present are almost en- 

 tirely confined to the neighbourhood of London ; elsewhere we have seen but 

 poorly developed examples, that could only serve to impress others with the con- 

 viction that the Cyclamen is a flower difficult of cultivation, instead of being one 

 of the easiest in the whole catalogue of florists' flowers. 



On page 1S3 of the ' Gardener' for 1869, H. E. I. C. S. treated the readers of 

 the ' Gardener ' to an excellent paper on the culture of the Cyclamen, himself a 

 very successful cultivator. The practice advised by this correspondent and that 

 followed by Mr Wiggins differs but very slightly, and then only in matters of 

 minor detail. 



At Worton Cottage could have been seen, a short time ago, a small lean-to 

 house, wholly filled with Cyclamens, every available part of the house accommo- 

 dating altogether some 300 finely-bloomed plants. A large number, of these were 

 in large 48-sized pots, some in 32-pots, and a few extra-sized specimens in 24-pots. 

 It was a delightful little show in itself, and there was so much of variation in 

 the flowers that there were representatives of a great many shades of colour, 

 from the purest white to rich self-coloured rosy-crimson flowers. In point 

 of quality there could be perceived an occasional example of the narrow-petalled 

 flower, somewhat curiously twisted, and large bold flowers, with broad stout florets, 

 and of the finest quality. By far the largest number of these plants had from 

 20 to 60 expanded flowers ; some of the larger plants had fully 100 flowers. 

 The first feeling of surprise was that of something akin to wonder at such a splen- 

 did development, not only of flower, but also of foliage ; the second, that such 

 results are brought about by a very simple course of cultivation, it shall be the 

 object of this paper to sketch. 



A leading feature in the mode of treatment adopted by Mr Wiggins and others 

 is, that the resting process — the period of rest, that stage of the Cyclamen's ca- 

 reer when it became so debilitated by semi-starvation as to be almost incapable 

 of again reaching a healthy development — is altogether abolished, and that with 

 the happiest results. A more generous course of treatment is rewarded by con- 

 sequences so startling as to effectually demonstrate the rationale of the cultivable 

 process. What can be so well done about London is surely possible elsewhere, and 

 with the same pleasing results. 



Each year Mr Wiggins raises a batch of plants from seed, and we would advise 

 all cultivators to follow his example. The seed is sown as soon as ripe, or at any 

 rate by September and October, and a soil used is made up of good loam, sand, and 

 rotten manure pulverised when in a thoroughly dry state. The seed-pans are 

 placed in a propagating-house or hotbed, and in four or five weeks the seed- 

 leaves put in appearance. The tempei'ature maintained by Mr Wiggins for the 

 purpose of raising seed is from 60° to 80°. As soon as the plants can be handled, 

 they are pricked off in small groups in large 60 or 48 pots, and placed on 

 shelves close to the glass in a warm house, and encouraged to make growth during 

 the winter. As soon as the month of March is reached, the largest of the plants 

 are shifted into 60-pots and placed in a warm frame having a slight bottom 

 heat, and kept close till established ; and when the weather is fine and genial, air 

 is admitted. A later shift is made into 48-pots about May or June, and the 

 plants are still retained in the frame. During hot weather they are frequently 

 sprinkled overhead, besides being freely watered at the roots. Generally, the 



