CYCLAMEN. 
67 
bright rose, purple, or white blossoms in warm seasons. 
It is easily raised from seeds sown in heat in March, 
the young plants being ready for the open air in May 
or June. Although in unfavourable seasons the flowers 
will probably not appear, still the graceful appearance 
of the plants is a sufficient inducement to grow them 
in any ordinary garden soil. (See Plate 30, fig. 80.) 
CYCLAMEN ( Sowbread ). — The hardy Cyclamen 
are a beautiful group of border or rock plants. 
Warm sheltered spots, partially shaded from strong- 
sunshine, and a rich loamy soil, containing a little 
chalk, limestone, or mortar rubble, seem to satisfy the 
requirements of most kinds. Good drainage is essential, 
otherwise the conns (or tubers) are likely to suffer, 
and perhaps decay during the winter. To keep the 
plants in good condition for several years without 
lifting or disturbing them, a good top dressing of 
well-decayed manure should be placed over the soil in 
winter. To keep up a supply of plants, it is best to 
raise them from seeds. These should be sown as soon 
as ripe in pots of rich sandy soil under glass. The 
young plants should be grown on for a year or two 
before transferring them to the open ground. 
There are many kinds of hardy Cyclamen, all 
easily recognised by their roundish kidney-shaped 
leaves, the under surface of which is often purplish, 
while the upper is blotched, marbled, and veined with 
white. The blossoms are white, rose, or purple, 
having the five twisted petals turned back towards the 
stalk. Much importance cannot be attached to the 
names, as a good deal of confusion exists. The kinds, 
however, known as ofricanum, alpinum, Atkin si, 
