1 64 Commercial Gardening 



As on previous occasions, the plants after the final potting must be 

 shaded from strong sunshine until they have recovered from the disturb- 

 ance. Afterwards plenty of air and diffused light may be given. The 

 watering must always be carefully attended to, as too much or too little 

 has an injurious effect on the plants. Gentle sprinklings of the foliage in 

 the mornings and late afternoons are also beneficial. As strong sunlight 

 produces a yellowish tint on the leaves it should be avoided, and the plants 

 during the summer months should be placed in frames, or houses facing 

 any point between the north-east and north-west. They should be as near 

 the glass as possible, and the pots should be stood on beds or stages covered 

 with moist pebbles or finely broken coke or clinkers. By September plants 

 grown outside in frames should be brought into the greenhouse and placed 

 as near the glass as possible, by standing them on inverted pots or on 

 shelves or stages fixed up for the purpose. 



About six or eight weeks before bloom is expected the plants may be 

 " fed " with a little weak liquid manure two or three times weekly. Half 

 a bushel of soot, J bus. of cow manure, and 2 or 3 Ib. guano put into a 

 bag and sunk in a tub of water will make a good liquid manure, J pint 

 of which to 1 gal. of clear water will be sufficient. Once the plants are 

 in blossom the temperature should not be kept too high; from 45 F. at 

 night to 55 F. by day will suit them perfectly. Very little water is 

 required at this period, and great care must be taken to keep the atmos- 

 phere in a dryish state, although a humid atmosphere is essential during 

 rapid growth. Grown in the way indicated it is possible to have the 

 Persian Cyclamen in bloom within twelve months of the date of sowing 

 the seed, and the tubers will be from 2 to 3 in. in diameter, and carry 

 from 40 to 60 flowers, and even more in special cases. 



As to insect pests, the worst of these are Red Spider, thrips, and green- 

 fly. The first named generally appears when the atmosphere is too dry; 

 consequently the best antidote to it is to keep the air in a cool and fairly 

 moist condition. The other pests may be kept in check by syringing the 

 young plants with any of the recognized quassia, soft-soap, and nicotine 

 washes. Where the glass is in good condition, however, and the houses 

 and frames can be kept close, it will be found best to vaporize as soon as 

 the pests first appear. 



The cost of growing Cyclamen is perhaps greater than with other classes 

 of pot plants. Taking 1000 as a unit, the cost for pots, soil, and labour may 

 be put down at 20, but where several thousands are grown the cost would 

 be much less although pots and soil are always expensive items. Then a 

 certain amount must be allowed for market expenses, freight charges, coal 

 and coke, insecticides, rent, &c., so that a gross return of 12s. to 18s. per 

 dozen is by no means excessive. [j. M.] 



Cyperus alternifolius. This is still grown, but not in such large 

 numbers as formerly. It is a native of Madagascar and has erect green 

 stems with whorls of flattish bright -green leaves, which are narrower 

 in the variety rigidns. The plants may be raised from seeds sown in a 



