CYCLAMEN DAPHNE ODORA. 



79 



allowed to ripen. Florists bury the bulbs in an 

 open border during the summer, taking them up 

 about the middle of September, when they are found 

 fresh and plump. Mice are fond of them and care 

 must be taken that they do not get at them. After 

 potting keep the plants in a cool place until the 

 leaves are well grown. When the flower stems ap- 

 pear remove to a sunny shelf where they will soon 

 bloom. Give them all the sun possible to promote 

 flowering, after which by shading, the duration of 

 the flowers, may be prolonged two or three months, 

 and this season having passed, gradually withhold 

 water and let the leaves die. 



DAPHNE ODORA. 



This name is from Daio, to burn, and phone, a 

 noise ; the wood of the plant crackles when burn- 

 ing. The Daphne resembles the laurel, and is also 

 said to have received the name of the goddess 

 Daphne, who not favoring the suit of Apollo, de- 

 sired the gods to aid her in escaping him. In 

 answer to her prayers she was changed into a laurel 

 tree. The Daphne Odora, introduced from China 

 in 1 771, is an old favorite, though latterly not much 

 cultivated. It is a shrub attaining a height of four 

 feet, with glossy-evergreen leaves and bears ter- 

 minal branches of fragrant pinkish-white flowers, 

 from December to March. It is one of the best of 

 all wood\ r plants for house culture. 



