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CYCLAMEN FERSICUM PUNCTATUM. 



Spotted Persian Cyclamen. 

 Linnean Class — Pentandria. Order — Monogynia. Natural OrJcr— Primulace^;. 



We believe we shall respond to the wishes of many of our readers in figuring this 

 month a representative of those very interesting little pets, the Cyclamens. They 

 are especial favorites with the fair sex ; and, assuredly, in no genus shall we find 

 more fitting types of the virtues which charm us in the feminine character, than 

 among these elegant, unobtrusive, and deliriously fragrant plants. All the species 

 are almost of equal interest, and any one of them, taken at random, would have 

 deserved a place in our pages ; but, as a general rule, it seems advisable to select 

 our illustrations from the less known plants, and we have, therefore, chosen a 

 variety which is, we apprehend, rather rare. It differs from the original species, 

 persicum, only in the rosy blotches observed on the petals of the flower ; and as the 

 culture of all the plants included in the genus Cyclamen is similar, if not identical, 

 our remarks will hold good with reference to any species our readers may 

 possess. 



With the exception of persicum, and its varieties, all the species are quite hardy, 

 and may, therefore, be cultivated in the borders among the dwarfer plants, where 

 they will occupy but little room. A partially shaded border suits them best, and a 

 soil composed of equal parts of leaf-mould, thoroughly rotten manure, loam, and 

 silver sand, will be desirable ; though, where all these materials are not attainable, 

 they will succeed in ordinary garden mould of good quality, but not in such as is 

 of a very sandy texture, or heavy retentive clays ; for, although they love moisture 

 during their growing season, stagnant humidity is very injurious, especially in 

 autumn. Where there is a peat bed, of turfy texture, for American plants, the 

 Cyclamens may be planted at its edge ; if too sandy, a little good loam should be 

 dug in before planting the tubers. They bloom at so early a season that, should 

 severe frost occur, they will experience a considerable check unless covered with 

 a hand glass ; and if the roots are planted together, it will greatly facilitate their 

 protection. After the leaves are withered, which will be about Midsummer, they 

 require no water, and should be allowed to remain undisturbed during their season 

 of rest. 



They arc, however, more commonly grown in pots, to ornament the window in 

 spring, whore they will produce their blossoms in company with the Narcissus, 



