73 



CYCLAMEN. 



the solid tuberous root. The flowers usually white, 

 tinted at the base with a rosy purple, are of one 

 petal, but deeply divided into five segments. After 

 blooming* the flower stalk coils in a spiral form and 

 bends earthward and buries its ripened seeds m the 

 soil. 



The variety in common cultivation is Cyclamen 

 Persicum. It is well adapted to the window. With- 

 out much care it gives an abundance of flowers in 

 winter, and they are valuable as a variety for 

 bouquets. The plant well deserves a wider culti- 

 vation than it has hitherto received. 



SOIL, PROPAGATION AND TREATMENT, 



For the Cyclamen a soil of light loam, enriched 

 with leaf-mold. Small quantities of soot or charcoal 

 well incorporated are said to increase the size and 

 brilliancy of the flowers. 



The temperature should range from 45 ° at night 

 to 65 by day. 



The plant seeds freely. To increase stock plant 

 yearly. Seedlings bloom when two years old. 



The Cyclamen does not require a large pot, 

 Place the crown of the bulb just above the surface 

 of the soil. Give water sparingly until the leaves 

 appear, and then not enough to make the soil heavy 

 or pasty, and observe that the drainage is unobstruct- 

 ed. Decrease the amount of water when the flow- 

 ering s jason his passed, permitting the bulbs to 

 dry off for a season of rest. 



The blooming quality is injured if seeds are 



