PRIMULACE^. 241 



the seeds later, it is better to defer sowing till February or 

 March. About that time a mild hotbed should be in readiness 

 to receive them, in which the temperature should range not 

 higher than 60°, nor lower than 50°, but be kept pretty steadily 

 between the two. The compost in which to sow is of some 

 importance, as the plants will remain in it undisturbed for the 

 next seven or eight months ; and as a vigorous infancy lays the 

 foundation for a successful maturity, a little pains at this first 

 stage will prevent after-disappointment. Equal parts fibrous 

 loam and peat, and about a fourth part of two or three year old 

 sheep or cow dung, with a very liberal allowance of sharp sand, 

 form a compost in which Cyclamens delight. The whole must 

 be carefully mixed, and for the seed-pans should be passed 

 through a ^-inch sieve once or twice, and a small portion for 

 the purpose of covering should be sifted finer ; but for estab- 

 lished plants, the compost need not be sifted, but merely rubbed, 

 and mixed carefully with the hands. Sow, as before said, thinly 

 in shallow well-drained pans ; cover lightly, but completely, and 

 place in the hotbed. Till the plants appear the atmosphere of 

 the frame is best kept moderately close, and shading should be 

 used to prevent sudden drying of the surface of the soil by the 

 sun; but when the plants are fairly visible more air will be 

 necessary in order to induce vigorous growth : sudden fluctua- 

 tions of temperature must, howe^'er, be guarded against by all 

 means till the weather becomes less variable and the plants 

 acquire greater strength. From first to last, during the growing 

 period, shade from bright direct sunshine is of the utmost 

 importance to the wellbeing of Cyclamens, whether seedling 

 or established ; and careful attention to this item, in the treat- 

 ment of seedlings especially, cannot be too strongly inculcated. 

 Up till the end of August everything should be done to stimu- 

 late rapid and vigorous growth. Admit morning and afternoon 

 sun, and, according to the condition of the external tempera- 

 ture, a free allowance of air early in the day, but shut up with 

 a little extra warmth in the afternoon, reopening the lights 

 again a little at night throughout the three summer months ; 

 and attend carefully to watering and cleanliness. By the last 

 week in August, the plants under this treatment will have made 

 considerable progress, and attention must now be directed to 

 the maturing of growth before finally setting them to rest. 

 Cautiously inure them to a fuller exposure to light and air, till 

 the lights may be wholly dispensed with ; and be more sparing in 

 the supply of water, but never allow the leaves to flag. The 

 first week in October should find them well matured, and they 

 may then be turned out of the seed-pans, saving the fibres from 



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