Cultivation of the Cy daman. 317 



known. Disappointed so often, we have resorted to the 

 "bagging up" system, (noticed at page 166,) and by this 

 means we shall now be enabled to give accurate descrip- 

 tions of all the fine sorts extant, having trees now in fruit 

 of more than sixty sorts. 



Art. VI. Cultivation of the Cyclaman. By Vanessa. 



The germs cyclaman is a delightful little family of plants, 

 requiring little trouble in cultivation, and producing flowers 

 of various colors every month in the year. Some of them 

 are very fragrant, and although, as far as outward appearance 

 is concerned, they may present little claim for admiration 

 when compared with many of their more gaudy compeers, 

 and, like many other objects of real worth and usefulness, 

 might be passed unnoticed, did not their presence become 

 impressed upon our senses by their pleasing and agreeable 

 odor, yet, they are among the prettiest ornaments of the gar- 

 den. For the amateur who wishes to make the most of the 

 little room he may have, a few of the different varieties of 

 cyclaman will give great satisfaction, and will afford interest 

 which can only be duly appreciated by those who give them 

 the little attention they require. 



They all seed freely, and this is perhaps the best way of 

 increasing a stock. The tubers are frequently divided for 

 this purpose, but it is not a good or safe practice, for, even if 

 such pieces live, they take a long time to recover from the 

 effects of the wound, and perhaps die altogether after two or 

 three years' trouble. 



The seeds should be sown as soon as ripe ; if kept any 

 length of time, few of them will vegetate. The soil in which 

 they are sown should be well drained, of a light, porous tex- 

 ture ; a mixture of peaty soil and leaf mould is very suitable. 

 The early flowering of the yoimg tubers depends a great deed 

 upon the nature of the soil in which they are grown. If 

 strong, retentive soil be used, they will not flower until the 

 fourth or fifth year ; whereas, in a light soil, they will gener- 



