SELECTION OF PLANTS. 45 



soil, and in an open situation, though it must not have too 

 much moisture, it should therefore be preserved from heavy 

 and continual rains. It is increased either by seed sown 

 in the spring, or by parting the roots. It would be well 

 to keep some in pots, and set them occasionally in the 

 greenhouse. It blows from April to June. 



This is a native of the Levant, and was first brought to 

 England in 1596. 



It belongs to the 3d Class, under the head " Triandria 

 Monogynia." 



137. CYCLAMEN PERSICUM, or Persian Cyclamen. 

 This is a hardy greenhouse plant, raised by seed in 



the spring on a moderate hot-bed; it should have but 

 little water in the winter months, and it thrives best in a 

 light loam and lime rubbish. It blows in March and April. 



It is a native of the Cyprus Islands, and was first brought 

 to England in 1731. 



It belongs to the 5th Class, under the head " Pentandria 

 Monogynia." 



138. SOLDANELLA ALPINA, or Alpine Soldanella. 

 This is a hardy Perennial, and should be kept in a 



moist and shady situation during the summer, but guarded 

 from extreme cold during the winter. If the winter should 

 prove very mild, it might be exposed with safety. It is 

 increased by parting the roots early in the spring, as it 

 blows in April and May.* 



* All plants which blow early in the spring, and are propagated 

 by parting the roots, had much better be parted in the autumn and not 

 in the spring, as the author has found by experience that the bloom 

 are usually very weak when delayed till the spring. 



