Part II. CYCLAMEN. 187 



leafless, the fibres and young buds for the ensuing year are still 

 making slow but healthy progress under favourable circum- 

 stances. Collectors from abroad should be specially careful in 

 this particular. We seldom find tubers of some of the species 

 that have been much dried or exposed to the air vegetate freely, 

 or sometimes at all. I have now by me some roots imported 

 nearly six years since (I believe from the Greek isles), that were 

 thus exposed, and though the tubers have remained sound and 

 sent out tolerably healthy fibres, they have not until this season 

 produced healthy leaves. They have made two or three abortive 

 attempts before, but always failed. Now, having recovered 

 vigour of foliage, I fully expect them to bloom next autumn. In 

 C. hedercefolium and its varieties the greater portion of their 

 fibres issue from the upper surface and sides of the tuber, indi- 

 cating without doubt the necessity of their being beneath the soil. 

 The habit in C. coum, C. vernuni, and their allies, of the leaf and 

 flower stalks, when in a vigorous state, running beneath the soil, 

 often to a considerable distance from the tuber, before rising to 

 the surface, points in the same direction. Though Cyclamens 

 require perfect drainage at the root, they like plenty of moisture 

 above when in full vigour of growth. 



Cyclamens generally like a rich soil, composed of good friable 

 loam, well-decayed vegetable matter, and cow manure, reduced 

 to the state' of mould, and rendered sweet by exposure to the 

 atmosphere before use. C. hedercBfoliuvi and its varieties require 

 a stiffer loam and stronger manure than the others. They are 

 all admirably adapted for rockwork ; they enjoy warm nooks, 

 partial shade from mid-day sun, and shelter from the effects of 

 drying, cutting winds. Neither of these can they bear with im- 

 punity. An eastern or south-eastern aspect is best, screened from 

 cutting winds, as affording the requisite protection against heat ; 

 but a northern one will do well. They love an open yet sheltered 

 spot ; pure air is their delight. I have a northward piece of 

 rockwork covered with them, which from the end of August, 

 when they begin to bloom, up to the end of March, when the 

 leaves begin to die down, is much admired both for the flowers 

 and also for the beauty of the wax-like foliage. During the dead 

 period of winter it is in full perfection ; and few things are more 

 ornamental. 



Cyclamens are best propagated by seed sown as soon as it is 

 ripe, in well-drained pots of light soil. I generally cover the 



