12 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



breaking of cyclamen roots, and no moving the tiny plants without soil adhering to the 

 roots at any time, but if they are raised thickly, as shown at Fig. 2, they cannot possibly 

 be moved otherwise than as shown at b, page 11. 



The proper way to sow cyclamen seed is as follows. Prepare shallow pans by drain- 

 ing in the usual way and filling with a mixture of rather light loam, leaf soil, and sand, 

 making this firm and level. Press the seed into the soil singly, and 1^ inch apart, 

 lightly covering with fine soil. Place the pans in a moist warm house or pit, having a 



Fig. 3. Raising and Growing Cyclamkns. — Correct Methods. 

 e and/, sturdy seedlings ; g and h, satisfactory growth. 



temperature of 50° to 60°, water, cover with squares of glass and shade heavily. Keep 

 the soil constantly and uniformly moist, and directly the seedlings appear, remove first 

 the shading and then the glass. 



Before the first leaves become drawn, raise the pans well to the light, see that the 

 plants never become dry at the roots, and afford light syringings occasionally, which do 

 much good. New seed is the earliest to germinate, and sowing in October, instead of 

 waiting till J anuary or February, results in finer plants. The most important essential 

 is to keep the plants steadily growing both at the roots and above ground. If this 

 cannot be done in the case of all autumn-raised seedlings — and all gardeners have not the 



