370 MANUAL OF GARDENING 



large pots or tubs and grown into large tree-like specimens. Old 

 and scraggly specimens should be thrown away. 



Crotons are propagated readily by cuttings of half -ripened wood any 

 time in winter or spring. 



Cyclamen. — A tender greenhouse tuberous plant, sometimes seen 

 in the window-garden. The Persian cyclamen is best for the house- 

 gardener to grow. 



Cyclamens may be grown from seed sown in April or September in 

 soil containing a large proportion of sand and leafmold. If sown 

 in September, they should be wintered in a coolhouse. In May they 

 should be potted into larger pots and placed in a shaded frame, and by 

 July will have become large enough for their flowering pot, which 

 should be cither 5-inch or 6-inch. They should be brought into the 

 house before danger of frost, and grown cool until through flowering. 

 A temperature of 55° suits them while in flower. After flowering, they 

 will need a rest for a short time, but should not become very dry, or the 

 bulb will be injured. When they start into growth, they should have 

 the old soil shaken off and be potted into smaller pots. At no time 

 should more than half the tuber be under the soil. 



April-sown plants should be similarly treated. Cyclamens should 

 bloom in about fifteen months from seed. The seed germinates very 

 slowly. 



Tubers large enough to flower the first year may be purchased from 

 the seedsmen at moderate prices ; and unless one has facilities for grow- 

 ing the seedlings for a year, purchase of the tubers will give the best 

 satisfaction. Secure new tubers, for old ones are not so good. 



The soil best suited to the cyclamen is one containing two parts 

 leafmold, one part each of sand and loam. 



Dahlia is an old favorite which, on account of its formal flowers, 

 has been in disfavor for a few years, although it has always held a place 

 in the rural districts. Now, however, with the advent of the cactus 

 and semi-cactus types (or loose-flowered forms), and the improve- 

 ment of the singles, it again has taken a front rank among late sum- 

 mer flowers, coming in just in advance of the chrysanthemum. 



The single varieties may be grown from seed, but the double sorts 



