THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



Fig. 1623 — Cyclamen Cocm. 



pot culture may be resorted to with suc- 

 cess, providing the same period of rest 

 be given as would be had if growing in 

 open ground High culture and careful 

 selection have brought the Persian cycla- 

 men to a near state of perfection, nearly 

 all the shades and colors known in the 

 different species at the present day are 

 to be found in the numerous varieties, 

 as well as improved size of floret. Their 

 culture is not difficult, the most impor- 



tant points being a light rich soil, plenty 

 of sunlight and moisture during the 

 growing season, and a cool place before 

 starting into growth. Many plant in 

 open ground in May, lift and pot in 

 September for the winter. 



Tolerably true reproduction from 

 seeds can be counted upon if the plants 

 aie kept from cross fertilization when 

 in flower, while to secure a good per 

 centum in germinating sow as soon after 

 gathering ss possible. 



Contributors to flower-shows should 

 do all in their power to promote the 

 cyclamen to a more prominent place 

 than it now occupies, for were its true 

 merits more widely known, our windows 

 during the fall, winter and early spring 

 months would be more frequently seen 

 enlivened by its presence. — Vick's 

 Magazine. 



PANSIES AND FERNS. 



THIS generally favorite flower does 

 best in a cool and somewhat shady 

 spot. I have grown them in a large 

 bed with a border of hardy ferns 

 with great success. One can pick 

 them up beside the way almost any- 

 where, and a good long bed of them on 

 the east or west side of the house 

 admits of many varieties, and water in a 

 " dry-spell " is an aid to both sorts. 

 The florist's fern, planted to grow shaded 

 by larger ones, does finely, and the 

 Maiden-hair is charming anywhere. 

 I have transplanted them at all seasons, 

 with good results. A bushel of black 



earth from the woods strewn over the 

 bed is of great value, and all the leaves 

 you can rake up in the fall tucked un- 

 der and about them and held down by 

 chip or stone is useful. 



Often there is a shady corner of the 

 veranda, that is greatly improved with 

 an ivy, and ferns. We can utilize all 

 space for the embellishment of our sur- 

 roundings, if it be only a tumble-down 

 sort of a place of small area. A good 

 place to plunge pot ferns is such a spot. 



M. A. Hoskins. 

 Newport^ Vermont. 



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