MARKET PLANTS.— -CYCLAMEN— CYTISUS. 



3°0 



the blooms are much larger. Seed should be sown not later than October, thinly, in 

 pans of sandy loam, and placed in heat to germinate. The young plants ought to be 

 kept moving, not far from the glass, in genial warmth, and gradually shifted into the 

 flowering pots, disturbing the roots as littlo as possible each time. While in frames 

 or pits during the summer, shade from the sun, and spray the plants with tepid water 

 twice daily. Allow adequate room, raise the plants near to the glass, ventilate carefully, 

 and do everything to prevent the leaves from becoming long in the stalk. Flower the 

 plants in a light position in gentle heat. Never cut, but pull the flowers clean out 

 of their sockets, decaying stumps being responsible for the ruin of many plants. After 

 flowering, gradually withhold 

 water to the extent of causing 

 the loss of all the leaves. After 

 this baking in heat, the corms 

 will start very strongly when 

 given water and syringed. Ee- 

 pot and treat similarly to the 

 one-year-old plants. Properly 

 treated, they will produce twice 

 the number of flowers obtained 

 from young plants. See also pp. 

 10-16, Yol. II. 



CYTISUS. 

 These plants, also known as 

 Genistas, are great favourites Fig. no. cyclamen pehsicum (market plant), 



with buyers, as the bright yel- 

 low, pea-shaped flowers are very showy and sweet. A few growers round London 

 almost monopolise the trade, provincial florists purchasing them at 9s. to 12s. per 

 dozen. G. Atleeanus and G. racemosus are the best for the markets. Young, flower- 

 less shoots may be taken off with a heel, before marketing the old plants, or in August, 

 and made into cuttings as shown in Fig. 177. Spring cuttings should be inserted 

 in pots of sandy soil, surfaced with sand, placed in brisk heat, and covered closely 

 with bell glasses or frames. August inserted cuttings root in close- shaded cool frames. 

 After the spring cuttings are rooted, harden, also top all the plants once before placing 



