72 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 
ing in July or August. The flowers are something like 
those of the Ixia, but smaller, and are produced in clus- 
ters of ten or twelve, on long pedicels spreading widely 
from the main stem. The bulbs do best when left in 
the ground during winter, but they must be protected 
against frost, or water, by a cold frame, or liberal 
mulching. 
CYCLAMEN. 
When well managed, there are few winter flowering 
bulbs more pleasing or attractive than the Cyclamen. 
They are not classed among popular plants, from the 
fact that their blooms have no commercial value. But 
for objects of interest, they have but few rivals in the 
greenhouse or conservatory. When brought from the 
greenhouse to the window garden they continue to pro- 
duce their charming flowers longer than most other 
plants. The genus Cyclamen contains but few species, 
just how many it is difficult to say, as it is a question 
upon which authorities differ, from the fact that many 
varieties are included in the list of so-called species. It 
is, however, to C. Persicum that we are indebted for the 
many types and varieties that are commercially known 
and sold under the generic name Cyclamen. 
The genus has long been under cultivation as a flow- 
ering plant, as we find it beautifully illustrated as early 
as 1612, and from the drawings then made we can recog- 
nize the most improved varieties of the present day. 
The origin of one common name, Sowbread, is so old 
that it is past finding out. Pliny said the roots poisoned 
swine, whence the name Sowbread, or poison, was given — 
it. ‘The more general, as well as the more reasonable, 
inference is that it derived this name from the fact of 
swine being fond of the roots, and that they are whole- 
some, rather than injurious. 
The only practicable way of growing the Cyclamen 
is from seed, which is produced freely. It germinates 
