60 THE BOOK OF THE GREENHOUSE 



leaf mould and sand, putting them in a temperature of 

 about 55 deg. Keep moist but not wet. When each plant 

 has made two or three small leaves, pot off singly in 

 similar soil, taking care not to bury the corm entirely. 

 Continue to keep up a growing temperature and have 

 the plants nearly close to the glass, but in a position 

 where they may be shaded during the hottest part 

 of the day. Syringe freely two or three times a day 

 and see that they never get dry at the root. In June 

 pot into the flowering pots, using two-thirds loam, 

 one-third leaf mould, wich plenty of sand added. Pot 

 in five-inch or six-inch pots according to the strength 

 of the plants. When nicely rooted, move to a frame 

 and keep them fairly close for a few days. Avoid 

 over-watering at this period, but syringe twice a day with 

 soft water. After a while, ventilate with more freedom 

 and be sure to give the plants ample room. When 

 the nights grow cool, remove to a warm part of the 

 greenhouse. Feed with manure water when the 

 flower buds show. Cyclamen is subject to green 

 fly, and sometimes is pestered also with thrips. 

 Neither must be tolerated or the plants will suffer. 



Humea elegans. Seeds of this attractive biennial should 

 be sown in May in pots of loam and peat equally 

 proportioned and mixed with silver sand. The seeds 

 are light and easily washed away, so it is best to water 

 the seed pot before sowing them. After scattering the 

 seeds cover them with the merest sprinkling of fine soil. 

 The seeds germinate slowly but should not be raised in 

 heat, a shady corner in a cold frame with a sheet of glass 

 on the seed pot to conserve moisture being what they need. 

 Pot off the seedlings into three-inch pots, and when the 

 roots come to the sides pot again into five-inch pots. This 

 last potting should be in September or early in October. 

 Careful watering is a salient matter in dealing with this 

 plant, never giving an overdose, and never allowing dry- 



