CYCLAMEN. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



CYCLAMEN. 



523 



they should be transplanted about i in. 

 apart in seed pans of rich light earth, and 

 encouraged to grow as long as possible, 

 being sheltered in a cold frame, but 

 always allowed abundance of air. When 

 the leaves have perished in the following 

 summer, the tubers may be planted out 

 or potted, according to their strength. 



There appears to' have always been 

 great difficulty in defining the species of 

 Cyclamen, from the great variation in 

 shape and colour of the leaves both above 

 and below. Too much dependence on 

 these characteristics has caused confusion 



able weather, the plants will be better for 

 slight protection, or a pit or frame in 

 which to plant them out. Grown in this 

 way during the early spring, from January 

 to the middle of March, they are one 

 sheet of bloom. When so cultivated, take 

 out the soil, say i to 2 ft. deep, place at 

 the bottom a layer of rough stones 9 to 12 

 in. deep, and cover them with inverted 

 turf to keep the soil from washing down 

 and injuring the drainage ; then fill up 

 with soil composed of about one-third of 

 good free loam, one-third of well-decayed 

 leaf-mould, and one-third of thoroughly 



Head of Cyc 



and an undue multiplication of species. 

 Some of the varieties become so fixed, 

 and reproduce themselves so truly from 

 seed, as to be regarded as species by some 

 cultivators. The following are the more 

 important species and varieties. 



C. Atkinsi. A hybrid variety of the 

 Coum section. The flowers are larger 

 than in the type, varying in colour from 

 deep red to pure white, and are plentiful 

 in winter. 



C. Coum (Round-leaved Cyclamen]. 

 This, like the others of the same section, 

 is perfectly hardy, and frequently in bloom 

 in the open ground before the Snowdrop ; 

 yet, to preserve the flowers from unfavour- 



decomposed cow manure. Plant i^ to 2 

 in. deep ; and, every year, soon after the 

 leaves die down, take off the surface as 

 far as the tops of the tubers, and fresh 

 surface them with the same compost, or 

 in alternate years give them only a surface 

 dressing of well-decayed leaves or cow 

 manure. During summer, or indeed after 

 April, the glass should be removed, and 

 they ought to be slightly shaded with 

 Larch Fir boughs (cut before the leaves 

 expand) laid over them, to shelter from 

 the extreme heat of the sun. As soon 

 as they begin to appear in the autumn, 

 gradually take these off. Do not use the 

 glass until severe weather sets in at all 



