1870. ] 
THE CYCLAMEN. 
113 
As soon as frost sets in, tlie pans should be removed to the top shelf of a con¬ 
servatory, where the temperature will not get below 45°. During the winter 
the plants will not make much growth, and in April they should be potted singly 
into 60-pots, and put into a frame with a little bottom-heat, and then in May 
removed into a cold frame facing the south-east, kept close for a few days, but 
eventually fully exposed during the day-time. When in the cold frame the plants 
should not be too much crowded ; air should be allowed free circulation, to prevent 
the plants being drawn. 
During June, July, August, and September, the plants should be sprinkled 
over-head at least once a day in hot, sunny weather, and watered about the soil 
also. It has been assumed that, at the proper time, the plants had been shifted 
into the blooming (6-in.) pots. This should be done about July or August, 
according to the strength of the plants. In regard, however, to watering over¬ 
head, one of our best amateur cultivators remarks : “I caution growers never 
to close up the lights for the night until the plants are quite dry, otherwise you 
will have them lanky, which must of all things be avoided.” 
By the middle of October some of the plants should be in bloom, and be 
removed to the conservatory, and a succession of flowers can be had without 
much difficulty to the end of April. The amateur cultivator already alluded to, 
who though not known to fame, has this season flowered a splendid batch of 
seedlings, thus gives some valuable cultural hints :—The soil best suited, in all 
stages of the Cyclamen^ is one composed of two-fifths coarse leaf-mould ; the same 
quantity of very light, soft, yellow loam; one-fifth dry cow-dung, and sufiicient 
fine white sand to prevent’ running together. The dry cow-dung should be 
collected in fine weather, and it would be advisable, after rubbing it small, to pour 
some nearly boiling water over it, to kill all seeds, which are very troublesome if 
not destroyed in this way. The leaf-mould should also be well wetted, mixed 
with cow-dung and sand ; the loam should be ground down quite fine in a dry 
state, mixed with other ingredients, and you will then have the very best compost 
it is possible to make, to grow the Cyclamen in.” 
“ The crown is almost always seen above the soil, but this should never be so, 
for the simple reason that the roots in this case will only grow from the lowest 
portion of it, whereas if buried they will do so from all parts alike ; and this 
must be a very great advantage to so gross a feeder as this plant really is. When 
the plants are put into their blooming-pots, I always place a handful of crocks at 
the bottom, and on the top of them some small pieces of dry cow-dung, which is 
without doubt one of the secrets of success in the cultivation of this gem of the 
winter season.” 
The simple secret of success with the Cyclamen^ provided there -be good 
management in all its stages of growth, is, never to allow it entire rest, but 
always to keep the plants growing, however slowly, and not, as is the usual custom, 
to' allow them to become dry during the summer, which is often synonymous 
