AN ENCY 
DIA OF HORTICULTURE. 
417 
Cyclamen—continued. 
Cultivation in Pots. Few plants are better adapted 
to pot culture for winter and spring decoration than varie- 
ties of C. persicwm (see Fig. 586), and few produce such 
a profusion of flowers in return for the moderate amount 
of care bestowed. А system of completely drying off in 
summer was onee thought a good plan; but this has now 
been abandoned by all good cultivators as most unnatural, 
and the plants are grown from the seedling to the 
flowering stage without a check of this sort. Seeds are 
best sown in the autumn, as, if left until spring, a loss 
of time is effected in the growth of the plants that are 
intended to flower the following winter or spring. Ordinary 
pots or pans should be filled with a compost of light 
sandy soil, the seed placed thinly over the surface, then 
pressed in, and slightly covered. А temperature of 
55deg. will be sufficient to insure germination, the time 
'eupied varying according to the age of the seed. When 
the seedlings appear, they must be raised near the 
light, to prevent them becoming drawn, and, as soon 
as large enough, pricked off—several in a біп. pot 
—and kept like this in a similar temperature till spring. 
They may then be placed singly in 3in. pots, and grown 
on in frames during the summer, with plenty of air after 
becoming established, and also shading from bright sun- 
shine. By July, most of the pots will be filled with 
roots, and the plants should then be shifted into others, 
^in. or бір. in diameter, in which they will flower. Good 
Fie. 581. CYCLAMEN PERSICUM, showing Rootstock and 
drainage must 
— 
== 
` Ж. 682. CYCLAMEN PERSICUM, showing Rootstock and 
d .. „Manner of Flowering, : WW 
c ES - 
Cyclamen —continued. 
covered with soil, leaving the tops clear whence the 
flowers and leaves proceed’ (see Fig. 582). The after 
cultivation consists chiefly in keeping the plants, at all 
times, in a light airy place, near the glass, to prevent 
drawing, and thereby weakening them. Shade in bright 
weather only, apply water liberally, and syringe on fine 
afternoons, to keep the plants clean and encourage growth. 
Cyclamens may be grown on a second year by drying 
moderately and resting for a time, afterwards reducing 
and repotting. They should receive similar treatment to 
that previously advised: for young plants, but the flowers 
are generally earlier and smaller a second year. It is not 
advisable to save plants after this age, as seed sown each 
year will keep up a stock, and young plants are much to 
be preferred. If no seed is required, the flowers should be 
removed when over. 
Insects. Cyclamens are particularly subject to injury 
from Green Fly, Red Spider, and Thrips, at all stages of 
growth. Neither must be allowed to obtain a footing, or 
the leaves will soon become curled and irreparably injured. 
Fumigating frequently, but not too strongly, will destroy 
fly and many of the Thrips. Sponging the leaves, or dipping 
them in soft soap water, and afterwards in clean water, is 
the best remedy for clearing Cyclamens of spider. These 
pests should be frequently looked for, and, when first ob- 
served, measures at once taken to arrest their progress. 
C. africanum (African)* 1. white or red tinted, with a bright 
purple spot at the base; corolla segments mre ae p có te 
December, co: 
and copious irregular intetmediate КОМ Duns n pe tatem 
and copious i int iate smaller ones, thin in te: 
and beautifully marbled with white. Taher uj large, with 
fibres from all over the surface. A. 4in. to біп, Calcareous 
Mountains of Algeria. 
C. neapolitanum, and, according to Mr. Baker, is but a sub- 
species or geographical race of it. (B. M. 5758.) т; 
C. cilicicum (Cilician).* /., corolla segments pure white, with a _ 
M m purple basal blotch, сена pee not ees 
at the base. October. {. developed at the same time as t 
flowers, sub-orbicular, entire, with close basal 10 sto 
Арш ut hese depresso-globose tuber, wi 
in gd аар . A, ĝin. wee 1 
w. resembles C. europæum, but may be 
that by its calyx segments. d 
This very fine plant is closely allied to — — 
