412 The Cultivation of the Cyclamen. 



up to within an inch of the top. The soil is then to be 

 pressed down lightly, and the seed scattered thinly over the 

 surface. The seeds are covered in by sifting about half an 

 inch of fine soil over them, which is to be pressed down 

 rather firmly, and then moderately watered. The seed pans 

 are then to be covered over with a thin layer of loose moss 

 to keep them moist ; this prevents evaporation, and does 

 away with the necessity for frequent waterings. Place the 

 pans in a frame or pit, which should be kept close until the 

 seeds begin to germinate ; then shade them, and give a little 

 air in fine weather. Or they may be set upon the shelves of 

 a greenhouse, which will answer as well as a frame. When 

 they are pretty well established, they may be potted into 

 single pots. 



TREATMENT OF THE YOUNG PLANTS. 



The seedlings must be potted off into separate pots as soon 

 as they have made two or three young leaves. Get some of 

 the same kind of compost as that used for seed-sowing, and 

 have it made rather fine. The pots used should be large 

 thumbs, or those which are three inches in diameter. Take 

 the strongest plants out of the pans, without damaging the 

 roots more than can be avoided. The plants must be care- 

 fully separated, so as not to damage or break off the leaves, 

 which are attached by rather brittle stalks. In potting, the 

 soil must be pressed rather firmly around the base of the 

 plant ; and after potting they must be put back into the 

 frame, where they should have a good Avatering, and must 

 be kept quite close and well shaded until they begin to root 

 round the sides of the pots. When this is the case, they 

 must have more air and less shade until they are quite hard- 

 ened, when the lights may be left off entirely, except during 

 heavy rains, when of course they must be put on, to keep 

 the soil from becoming saturated with water. The young 

 plants that are left in the seed pans may be thinned out, if 

 too thick, and a little fresh soil may be added to fill up the 

 openings where the young plants were taken out ; after 

 which they should be watered and put in a shady place in 



