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THE CYCLAMEN. 



X our opinion the Cyclamen Persicum is one of the most useful 

 and beautiful winter flowering plants grown. It flowers freely, 

 lasts a long time in bloom, makes a good table plant, with great 

 variety of color, and is often very sweet-scented ; in fact the plant 

 has so much to recommend it that it is surprising it is so little 

 grown here. I am sure that if private gardeners as well as florists 

 were to give it a fair trial they would find themselves well repaid for their trouble. 

 We think the chief reason why this plant is so seldom seen here in any quantity 

 is that gardeners are under the impression it is such a difficult plant to grow in 

 this country. I think this a mistake, and that if the mode of treatment given 

 below were followed, and the same attention given them that is required to grow 

 any ordinary plant well, that idea would be soon got rid of. 



The seed should be sown in November in a shallow pan or box in light 

 porous soil, in a temperature of about 55 degrees ; as soon as large enough to 

 handle prick off" into boxes and place near the glass. After remaining a short 

 time in this way they may be potted into three inch pots and shifted on into 5 

 or 6 inch flowering pots as they require it, which will probably be in August. 

 Rich, light, fibrous loam, with a little sharp sand and leaf soil, or well-rotted 

 manure is the best compost to use, never use fresh rank manure. Keep them 

 growing right along till they flower, without any check whatever. The old plan 

 of resting them, by drying off" before flowering at all, is almost entirely out of 

 practice. 



The Cyclamen may be kept outside in as cool a position as possible plunged 

 in coal ashes and a sash over them to keep off" heavy rains and hot sun if neces- 

 sary, this is of course during the hot summer months. Take them in about 

 the middle of September. I believe it is the custom in England to keep the 

 Cyclamen very cool during its flowering season, but we have found its flowers 

 come finer and better in rather a warm house. 



The Cyclamen has several enemies including green fly, thrip and red spider ; 

 these must be kept down as they soon do great damage. The green fly particu" 

 larly will attack the young leaves and buds as soon as they break from the bulb, 

 and cause them to come deformed. The best thing to get rid of them is tobacco 

 dust. 



A little weak guano water occasionally will help the Cyclamen, but don't 

 over-do it. We have tried to flower them on benches, but would not like to 

 recommend that plan until after further trial. 



The Cyclamen may be grown the second year or longer by drying it off 

 after flowering, but we prefer young year old plants. — Report Montreal Horti- 

 cultural Society. 



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