242 PRIMULACE^. 



unnecessary injury in the process, and potted singly into pots 

 suited to the size of the corms, bearing in mind that the first 

 shift should be a small one, and that the pots be well drained. 

 When potted, plunge to the rims of the pots in coal-ashes, and 

 give water sufficient to settle the soil about the roots, after 

 which for the winter they will require little attention except that 

 of giving air when the weather is mild, protection from severe 

 frost, and a vigilant look-out for slugs, which are fond of nib- 

 bling the young tender corms. About February or March they 

 will begin to move of their o\\ti accord, and if frame-accom- 

 modation may not be afforded them, they should be hardened 

 off preparatory to standing out of doors in April or May, and 

 plunged in a bed of coal-ashes in a well-sheltered, partially- 

 shaded situation. One or two shifts may be necessary through- 

 out the summer as the plants increase in size, but the shifts 

 should be small. In October, if the pots are well filled with 

 roots, the plants may receive a final shift and be stored away 

 for the winter in the best manner the available means wall allow, 

 and in the following spring they should yield a reward for all 

 this care and trouble in a plentiful crop of flowers. 



The treatment for established plants does not consist of many 

 details. Encourage vigorous growth for a couple of months 

 after flowering is finished, remembering always that shade from 

 mid-day sun is essential during this process ; water abundantly, 

 and keep clean, and in the end of September or beginning of 

 October, before putting them away for winter, give a shift if 

 required, but in any case examine the drainage, and repair it if 

 necessary, and throughout the winter see that the roots do not 

 shrivel for want of water. By these means, if carefully applied, 

 ample success is certain. But those whose circumstances do 

 not admit of such expensive and troublesome details should not 

 be discouraged from the cultivation of Cyclamens. A few roots 

 of flowering size of the hardy sorts may be procured and planted 

 in September, in light rich soil, well drained, either on rock- 

 work or in a warm sheltered border ; and when spring comes 

 round, protect the flowers from the inclement weather by the 

 best means at disposal. The autumn-flowering species may be 

 enjoyed with less trouble than those of spring, and do very well 

 planted in the same way, but the cream of the gems is in the 

 spring-flowering sorts. It has to be added that, in planting or 

 potting, the corms of those species, such as C. persiamt, which 

 are naturally large, should be inserted to such a depth as will 

 bring their tops about level with the surface of the soil, and 

 those naturally small should be slightly covered over with the 

 soil. Nearly all the spring- flowering sorts will bear a little 



