CUTWORMS DAHLIA 8i) 



Cutworms may be kept away from plants by making a 

 collar of stiff paper or tin about the base, as in the picture ; 

 but this is not practicable on a large scale. 



Cyclamen. A tender greenhouse tuberous 



plant, sometimes seen in the window-garden. Cyclamens may 

 be grown from seed sown in April or September in soil con- 

 taining a large proportion of sand and leaf-mold. 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 either a 5- or 

 6 -inch one. 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. 



Tubers large enough to flower the first year may be ob- 

 tained from the seedsmen at moderate prices; and unless 

 one has facilities for growing the seedlings for a year, pur- 

 chase of the tubers will give the best satisfaction. The soil 

 best suited to the Cyclamen is one containing two parts 

 leaf-mold, 1 part each of sand and loam. 



Daffodils are a kind of Narcissus. They are 



hardy, and require the treatment recommended for Crocus. 

 They may be naturalized in the grass, but they usually do 

 not persist long on account of our hot, dry summers. Daf- 

 fodils have been much improved of late. Plant in the fall, 

 4-6 in. deep. Excellent old garden plants. 



Dahlia. The 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 



