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322 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [No. II 



Itep- ~ ; —^$?r 



Among our contributors will be several of the most able scientific 

 men of the present day — we need only mention the names of Prof. 

 Haldeman, Dr. W. D. Brinckle and John Cassin, Esq., as evidence 

 of the high standing our magazine will take. Our practical contribu- 

 tors have already proved themselves; among them are some of the 

 most able horticulturists in the north and the south, and we hope that 

 our magazine will be an authority upon all matters of horticulture in 

 the United States. Native botany will receive a fair share of our 

 attention, whereby we hope to awaken an interest in' our too much 

 neglected Flora. In this department we have been promised the 

 assistance of several botanists of reputation. Our calendar will be 

 continued by the same able contributors who have furnished that of 

 the present year. The editorial department will be conducted care- 

 fully yet independently; our European communications will be of 

 much value. Hoping to receive the encouragement,, not only of this 

 city and neighbourhood, but of the entire union, we will do our ut- 

 most to deserve success. 



THE CYCLAMEN. 



Few winter flowering plants are more useful than the varieties of 

 this charming genus. Strong, healthy specimens produce a plentiful 

 succession of their singularly formed blossoms, which, if guarded from 

 damp, will remain for several weeks together in perfection. All the 

 varieties are compact in growth, of easy culture, and hence they are 

 well suited for persons whose accommodation is limited, or whose 

 knowledge of plant cultivation is not great. Those about to add a 

 few varieties to their collection cannot purchase them at a better sea- 

 son than the present ; for if sound healthy plants are obtained now, 

 there will be no risk of their decaying (instead of starting into growth) 

 as frequently happens with plants that have been kept quite dry dur- 

 ing the summer. 



Good healthy plants procured now will probably have commenced 

 growth, and should be kept rather close for a week, when it will be 

 advisable to examine the state of the roots, and, if well furnished, shift 

 into pots a size larger ; otherwise repair the drainage, and defer shift- 

 ing until the roots indicate a want of pot room ; and then a moderate 

 shift only should be given. At this season the plants should be placed 

 near the glass, and should receive a sufficient supply of water to keep 

 the soil in a nice moist healthy condition. Provided frost is excluded, 

 the temperature in which they are grown is of little consequence, ex- 

 cept where plants are wanted in flower without loss of time ; and as 

 the blossoms appear before the foliage is well developed, there will 

 ^> be little difficulty in securing these at any period from November to 



m 29b- ^os^n. 



