November 3,1881.] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 393 
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Sale of Bulbs at Mr. Stevens' Booms, Covent Garden. 
6th 
Sun 
2 1st Sunday after Trinity. 
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[11 A.M. 
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Royal Horticultural Society, Fruit and Floral Committees at 
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CYCLAMENS, 
I this season of the year, and onwards through 
the winter and spring months, few plants are 
more attractive or useful than well-grown 
Cyclamens. The foliage alone is attractive 
independent of the flowers, but when these are 
produced they are serviceable for almost any 
purpose, either for bouquets or vases. The 
when in flower are admirably adapted for room- 
tion, and not only look beautiful but last a long 
indeed where gas is not used they last nearly as 
long in good condition, if the position they occupy is light, 
as if allowed to flower in a conservatory. If rendered useless 
after doing duty for room-decoration it is of little consequence, 
as a fresh stock can be annually raised ; in fact, I fail to see 
the utility of troubling with them a second season, when good 
plants can be grown in twelve or fourteen months from the 
time of sowing. I have endeavoured to grow old plants, but 
am now fully convinced that to raise them annually, as is 
general with Chinese Primulas, is by far the best system that 
can be practised. Sowing the seed in the spring is too late if 
good-sized plants are to be produced. The best batch I ever 
grew was from seed sown the last week in October, and in 
exactly twelve months good plants in 5 and 6-inch pots were 
obtained, some of the earliest flowering profusely, and con¬ 
tinued in succession to supply flowers through the winter and 
spring. They are as easy to grow as Primulas when once the 
right system is adopted, only they take a little longer time. 
The primary points necessaiy to achieve successful results 
are to sow the seed in October, or early in November at the 
latest, so that small healthy plants will be produced for potting 
early in January. A check to the plants while growing must 
be avoided, and they dislike a dry atmosphere. When growing 
well they have abundance of water in the leaves in small 
globules, which are readily discernible if a leaf is torn open, 
and when in this condition cultivators may rest assured the 
plants are thriving. Practice has convinced me the plants 
must not be placed upon dry shelves in any stages of growth. 
A bed of ashes is the best, keeping the plants close to the glass, 
or the foliage is liable to become weakly. 
If possible Cyclamens should have a small house devoted to 
them after they are in pots, as they do not grow well when 
mixed with other plants ; but small Ferns and some other 
plants will adapt themselves to the conditions of the Cyclamen 
house. Small low houses are too frequently needed in the 
majority of private gardens. To a large extent the reason 
of these plants not being well grown in many establishments 
may be attributed to this. It is almost impossible, with the 
medley system of growing decorative plants, to have them all 
in such fine condition as where separate houses are devoted to 
them. 
In sowing Cyclamen seed pans or 6-inch pots should be em¬ 
ployed, well drained, and nearly filled with a light compost of 
loam, leaf soil, and sand. The seed should be covered with 
sandy peat and leaf soil mixed. The soil must be well 
watered, and covered with a square of glass until germination 
takes place, and the pots be placed in heat. New seed is 
preferable, as it soon germinates, but old seed takes a much 
longer time. When the seedlings appear the glass must be 
tilted, exposing the young plants gradually to more light. 
They must be kept in a temperature not less than 60° in their 
early stages, and when large enough to handle should be 
pricked out into other pans. If the sun proves strong shade is 
necessary for a few days until they commence rooting. The 
compost must be light, containing much leaf soil, so that the 
young plants will have plenty of roots when lifted for potting. 
The first-size pots should be 2j- inches in diameter, and if 
established in these by the end of January so much the better. 
When in small pots they should stand on a moist bed close 
together, and if a little cocoa-nut fibre can be placed amongst 
the pots it will prevent them becoming dry too quickly. The 
next shift should be into 3 and 4-incli pots according to the 
progress the plants have made. The soil then may be of a 
stronger nature, employing a greater proportion of loam, and 
pressing it into the pots more firmly than is necessary at the 
first potting. By the time these pots are full of roots the 
plants will be of good size. The temperature can be gradually 
lowered, and fire dispensed with as the season advances until 
the plants can be grown under cool conditions. If care is not 
judiciously exercised the plants may be checked when fire is 
discontinued. At first air must be sparingly admitted, giving 
more as the atmosphere outside becomes warmer until they 
will bear it circulating freely amongst them. If the weather 
and nights prove warm during June they can be grown after¬ 
wards in cold frames. 
Cyclamens are greatly benefited by early closing during 
sunny days in the early part of the summer months. Shade is 
necessary during hot weather, and must be employed with 
some forethought so as not to exclude too much light and thus 
weaken the foliage. For the final potting 5 and 6-inch pots 
may bo employed, the size depending upon the strength of the 
plants. The potting may be firmer than in any previous case, 
and a seventh of well-decayed dung or some bone dust can be 
added to the loam. Leaf soil will not be needed. After potting 
the frame must be closed for a time until the plants fairly com¬ 
mence rooting, when air may again be gradually admitted 
until a good supply can be given, and a little ventilation pro¬ 
vided all night. A free circulation of air is essential for 
obtaining Cyclamens in their best condition, as their beauty 
much depends upon bold stout foliage close over the pots. 
When plants are in this state and brought gradually into 
flower as required with a little heat in a position near to 
the glass, the flowers stand up boldly above the foliage and 
require no stakes nor ties. 
While growing, Cyclamens need liberal supplies of water at 
the roots as well as on the foliage, but it is prudent to drain 
the pots well, as the plants dislike stagnant soil. Liquid 
manure will only be needed after the large pots are well filled 
No. 71.— Yol. III., Third Series. 
No. 1727.—Yol. LXVI., Old Series. 
