118 Milady's House Plants 



it remains more or less dormant until August, still 

 retaining many of its old leaves, when it will com- 

 mence to form new leaves and flower buds at the 

 same time. The plant should be repotted at this 

 stage, removing all the old soil that is not occupied 

 with roots and for two or three weeks afterward should 

 be kept in moderate shade. The Cyclamen has been 

 much improved of late years by crossing and careful 

 selection and is now one of the most beautiful of all 

 the cultivated flowers, as it is certainly the most 

 popular, if all the markets of the world are considered. 

 Ail of the millions that are disposed of annually are 

 grown from seed, about fifteen months being required 

 before the first flowers appear. 



Summer Quarters 



After the work of potting is finished, the plants 

 can be placed at once, or at the first convenient time, 

 in their permanent Summer quarters. The ideal 

 method is to plunge, or sink them in the ground almost 

 up to the rims of the pots. In this way, the roots 

 are in cool, moist surroundings during the hot days 

 of Summer, less care and watchfulness in watering 

 is required, and much less water, and the plants do 

 not blow; over. Place a good sized piece of broken 

 pot, concave side up, in the bottom of the hole before 

 sinking the pot. This will prevent worms from work- 

 ing their way in through the hole in the bottom and 

 will also assist in drainage. 



All the foliage plants in the first group, excepting 

 ferns, should be placed in "moderate shade," not- 

 withstanding the fact that they are all indigenous to 

 tropical climes and sunny positions, as before stated. 



