112 
THE FLORIST. 
ORNAMENTAL B^TLBOUS AND TUBEROUS PLANTS. 
Crocus. —Messrs. E. G. Henderson state that this favourite genus 
yields to none in its season for effect and special adaptation to flower- 
garden decoration. Its habit of growth renders it suitable to positions where 
it may be allowed to grow undisturbed without being removed to make 
way for plants of later bloom; and its small size will allow of its being 
placed in close contiguity with the extreme outer margin of flower-beds 
or borders. Hence the suitability of the Crocus for forming ribbon-like 
lines or belts. It may also, like other bulbs, be planted in larger inner 
groups or masses, which can be removed before the summer bedding 
stock is planted. Besides this, it may be grown in pots to any extent 
in the form of portable specimens for conservatory and greenhouse 
decoration. For pot-culture the corms should be planted in successive 
batches, from six to ten or twelve being placed in each pot or vase, 
and using ordinary rich soil to a full inch in depth above the crowns ; 
the pots are to be placed along with those of the potted Hyacinths, for 
the purpose of encouraging preparatory root-growth before their 
exposure fcr bloom. The Crocus differs, however, materially from the 
Hyacinth in its after treatment, inasmuch that after the formation of 
root-growth, the latter are benefited by a genial surface or bottom-heat 
to mature the bloom, whilst the Crocus, Snowdrop, Aconite, and Dog’s- 
tooth Violet only require the aid of a cold frame or pit, with due 
ventilation in mild weather, which preparation admits of their removal 
to the conservatory or drawing-room flower-basket. For extensive 
border decoration in large gardens, and where large quantities are 
required, the various colours, yellow, white, blue, violet, variegated, and 
Scotch are selected as the most appropriate. All the varieties under 
the above colours are well adapted for early forcing in pots; and 
amongst the large extra-fine hybrid varieties especially suited for this 
latter purpose, are those named Aletta Wilhelmine, Dorville, La 
Majestueuse, Lilaceus superbus, Mont Blanc, Pluto, Pride of Albion, 
Prince of Wales, Queen Victoria, and Sir Walter Scott. Of the 
distinct species and rarer kinds, C. medius, C. nudiflorus, C. odorus, 
C. pulchellus, C. serotinus, C. speciosus, and C. sativus are the best 
and most desirable autumn-flowering kinds; and amongst the earliest 
spring-blooming species, C. biflorus, C. imperatorius, C. nivalis, and 
C. multipetalus are select and desirable. 
Cyclamen .—The species and varieties of this genus are very pretty 
half-hardy and greenhouse tuberous plants, blooming through the 
winter and spring months. The species may be separated into two 
sections, pertaining respectively to C, persicum and to C. coum. The 
former are somewhat less hardy than the latter, and therefore better 
adapted for the greenhouse and conservatory; the latter are manageable 
through the winter with protection from frost by the aid of a good 
cradle-bed or pit. After the early spring-bloom the leaf-growth is 
encouraged for a few weeks longer, and then they are allowed to cease 
from growth, and are placed upon a dry border until late summer and 
autumn, and then during the latter period they are repotted or 
resurfaced as may be required. One half good loam, and the remaining 
