120 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  18,  1898. 
show  how  the  humblest  among  us  can,  if  we  allow  uo  obstacles  to  bar 
our  way,  help  materially  to  forge  “  golden  links  ”  in  the  chain  of 
progress  which  an  advancing  nation  must  ever  be  making  ? 
In  connection  with  the  above  Vines  another  feature  of  great  interest 
has  recently  engaged  my  attention.  Before  the  Vines  were  started  last 
spring  the  border  received  a  heavy  dressing  of  blood  and  slaughter¬ 
house  refuse.  When  material  of  this  description  in  a  Iresh  state  is 
placed  upon  the  surface  of  soil  decomposition  takes  place  very  slowly, 
and  according  to  all  recognised  principles  of  plant  physiology,  young 
roots  will  not  enter  manure  or  animal  matter  until  decomposition  is  in 
a  very  advanced  state,  because  they  cannot  assimilate  the  rich  food  it 
contains  until,  during  the  process  of  deoay,  the  various  gases  given  up 
combine  to  form  chemical  compounds  such  as  the  roots  can  take  up. 
Sweet  fresh  soil,  well  decayed  manure,  or  good  leaf  soil,  I,  in  common 
with  thousands  of  other  gardeners,  have  usually  considered  the  essential 
materials  for  inducing  quick  and  healthy  root  action ;  but  the  fact  I 
am  about  to  relate  has  led  me  to  considerably  modify  my  opinion  in 
that  direction,  for  I  have  proved  that,  under  some  circumstances,  Vine 
roots  will  enter,  and  derive  great  benefit,  from  animal  matter  while  it 
is  still  in  what  may  be  termed  a  “  rank  ”  state. 
As  the  Vines  in  question  were  swelling  their  berries  soon  after 
being  thinned,  I  could  see  they  were  deriving  great  benefit  from  the 
dressing  of  blood  they  had  previously  received,  so  I  thought  I  would 
see  how  near  the  roots  had  approached  the  great  clots  of  blood  which 
were  still  in  evidence  to  both  eyes  and  nasal  organs.  I  selected  one  of 
the  largest  of  these,  thrust  a  spade  under  it,  turned  it  over,  and,  lo  ! 
to  my  surprise  I  found  fleshy  white  roots  had  penetrated  right  through 
the  foetid  mass,  and  wherever  I  tested  the  border  I  found  plenty  of 
healthy  roots  near  the  surface.  This  was  an  “eye  opener”  to  me, 
and  one  which  I  hope  in  the  future  to  turn  to  profitable  account. 
AVhen  we  place  manure  on  a  Vine  border  we  of  course  expect  it  to 
bring  the  roots  to  the  surface,  but  it  is  seldom  that  the  roots  take  hold 
of  the  manure  until  it  becomes  thoroughly  sweetened  by  exposure  and 
decay. 
Another  fact  which  observant  Grape  growers  cannot  fail  to  note  is 
that  the  roots  of  Vines  show  great  partiality  for  heat;  a  cold  wet  soil 
they  detest,  and  will  not  enter  if  they  can  possibly  find  a  more 
congenial  outlet.  In  the  house  already  referred  to  the  hot-water  pipes 
along  the  front  rest  upon  the  soil  of  the  Vine  border,  or  rather  the 
bottom  pipe  is  partially  embedded  in  it,  and  I  have  lately  discovered 
there  is  a  perfect  network  of  roots  close  up  to  the  pipes  along  their 
entire  length,  consequently  this  part  of  the  border  is  -watered  much 
more  frequently  than  any  other,  otherwise  the  roots  would  soon  be 
ruined.  A  warm  root  run  and  plenty  of  moisture  are  two  important 
factors  in  the  production  of  heavy  crops  of  good  Grapes.  Jn  too  many 
instances  the  soil  near  hot-water  pipes  does  not  get  half  water  enough, 
and  thus  one  of  the  most  suitable  positions  for  vigorous  root  action  is 
turned  into  a  death  trap  for  them.  I  have  seen  at  various  times  the 
soil  as  dry  as  dust  near  the  pipes,  and  close  examination  has  failed  to 
reveal  roots  in  any  quantity,  while  those  found  were  withered  and 
practically,  if  not  quite,  useless.  They  could  not  possibly  take  up 
nourishment  for  the  support  of  Vines,  and  were  therefore  of  little 
value.  But  by  judicious  treatment  they  may  be  made  to  become 
valuable  accessories  towards  success. 
Mulching  inside  Vine  borders  in  the  summer  time  is,  I  think,  a 
mistake,  as  surface  root  action  is  greatly  encouraged  by  the  small  amount 
of  subduel  sunshine  which  reaches  the  borders  between  the  canopy  of 
foliage  above.  Mulching  may,  however,  sometimes  be  beneficial  on 
an  outside  border  fully  exposed  to  the  full  glare  of  the  sun  on  a  hot 
summer’s  day ;  but  although  the  conditions  between  an  inside  and 
outside  border  are  so  totally  different,  I  am  afraid  we  often,  unthink- 
treat  them  alike  in  many  respects,  when  observation  should 
teach  us  to  change — to  improve  our  methods. 
These  few  thoughts  about  an  important  subject  have  been  jotted 
down  in  the  hope  that  they  may  cause  some  among  the  rising 
generation  of  gardeners  to  think  about  the  matters  touched  upon, 
and  to  test  the  opinions  advanced  by  the  searching  light  of  experience. 
They  are  not  mere  fanciful  theories,  but  solid  facts. — H.  D. 
CYCLAMEN  PERSICUM. 
This  is  one  of  those  plants  which  seem  best  known  by  their 
botanical  appellation  ;  certainly  the  English  equivalent,  “  Sowbread,” 
is  not  by  any  means  so  euphonious,  nor  does  it  appear  as  easily 
applicable  as  Cyclamen  to  either  the  Persian  or  European  varieties, 
with  their  dainty  grace  and  peculiar  conformation.  That  they  are 
amongst  the  most  charming,  and  at  the  same  time  useful  plants, 
which  claim  the  gardener’s  attention  there  is  no  gainsaying.  They  are 
the  pride  alike,  when  successfully  grown,  of  the  amateur,  with  his  few 
plants,  and  the  professional,  whether  he  grows  them  by  thousands  for 
the  market,  or  by  the  score  or  hundred  for  the  embellishment  of  a 
private  establishment.  As  many  know,  the  Cyclamen  is  effective  in 
pots  for  small  vases,  for  using  a  number  together  in  stands  and  the 
front  of  small  groups,  either  in  the  dwelling  house  or  conservatory. 
I  have  used  them  somewhat  extensively  in  a  cut  state  in  various 
ways,  but  chiefly  for  diuner-table  decorations.  A  little  patience  and 
care  are  requisite  to  produce  a  good  effect,  as  although  the  flowers 
must  not.  be  crowded,  yet  enough  should  bo  employed  or  the  result 
will  appear  weak.  Here  let  me  say  a  word  or  two  about  the  lasting 
qualities  of  the  cut  blooms.  If  they  are  plucked  out  of  the  conn,  as 
they  ought  to  be,  and  not  cut,  there  will  be  found  a  hard  portion  at 
the  bottom  of  each  stem.  If  this  is  not  taken  off,  in  all  probability  in 
a  few  hours’  time  the  flowers  will  1  e  found,  even  if  placed  in  a  sufficiency 
of  water,  hanging  down  and  withering,  but  if  this  hard  part  is  cut 
off,  which  acts  as  a  sort  of  plug  to  prevent  the  water  from  passing 
freely  into  the  stems,  then  with  ordinary  care  the  flowers  will  last 
several  days. 
The  time  is  close  at  hand  when  sowings  will  be  made  in  different 
establishments  throughout  the  country,  and  if  good  plants  are  required 
in  about  twelve  months,  August  sowing  is  generally  found  satisfactory. 
Fine  plants  may  be  and  are  raised  from  seed  sown  in  October,  and 
again  in  February  ;  indeed,  some  of  the  best  plants  I  have  seen  were  raised 
in  the  last  named  month,  and  succeeded  those  raised  in  the  autumn. 
The  seed  should  be  sown  thiuly  in  well  drained  pots,  or  preferably  in 
shallow  pans,  the  soil  consisting  of  light  rich  material  rendered  porous 
with  an  admixture  of  sand,  and  pressed  down  rather  firmly.  Means 
must  be  employed  for  keeping  the  soil  fairly  and  especially  uniformly 
moist,  and  if  the  pots  or  pans  are  placed  on  a  moist  base  in  a  tem¬ 
perature  of  55°  to  60°,  the  seeds  as  a  rule  will  germinate  freely.  Some 
plants  generally  appear  before  the  rest,  but  as  the  .seedlings  become 
large  enough  they  may  be  carefully  removed  and  inserted  round  the 
edges  of  small  pots. 
Cyclamen  seed  will  germinate  freely  in  a  cold  frame  at  this  season, 
as  I  have  proved,  so  there  need  be  no  difficulty  in  raising  a  number 
of  plants.  As  the  seedlings  progress  they  may  be  established  in 
inch  pots,  and  in  spring  shifted  into  those  of  4  inch  size.  In  these, 
if  the  plants  are  well  supplied  with  nourishment,  they  will  flower 
satisfactorily,  but  some  of  the  best  should  be  transferred  to  6  and 
7  inch  pots,  when  they  will  make  fine  specimens  a  foot  in  diameter. 
Old  plants  after  flowering,  and  which  appear  fairly  vigorous,  are 
benefited  by  being  placed  in  a  sheltered  and  shady  position  out  of 
dcors  for  a  few  weeks,  when  they  may  be  shaken  free  of  the  old  soil, 
repotted  in  the  same  sized  pots,  and  placed  in  cold  frames.  With  the 
mention  of  frames  we  come  back  to  the  young  plants  of  the  previous 
autumn  or  spring  sowing.  These,  I  find,  are  best  kept  on  a  shelf  in 
an  intermediate  temperature  through  the  winter.  Early  in  June  when 
frames  are  freed  from  bedding  plants,  the  young  Cyclamen  may  be 
hardened  a  little  and  then  placed  in  them,  on  a  cool  moist  base  of 
ashes.  Then  is  the  time  by  careful  attention  to  build  up  the  plants 
which  will  in  future  provide  a  wealth  of  bloom  and  striking  foliage. 
Keep  them  well  watered  when  in  ueed,  dew  them  gently  two  or  three 
times  a  day  in  hot  weather,  see  that  the  sun’s  rays  do  not  strike  upon 
the  delicate  leaves,  and  the  cultivator  will  have  pleasure  in  watching 
his  plants  progress  as  they  do  at  no  other  ‘time  of  the  year.  They 
will  grow  almost  as  exuberantly  as  Cabbages  after  a  warm  shower  in 
April. 
Some  growers  have  been  successful  with  the  planting-out  system 
during  the  summer,  but  the  check  which  the  plants  receive  at  the 
period  of  lifting  militates  in  my  experience  against  their  after  well¬ 
doing,  and  I  have  not  found  the  method  completely  satisfactory.  The 
plants  flourish  in  a  soil  composed  of  two  parts  turfy  loam,  with  half  a 
part  each  of  leaf  soil  and  well  decomposed  manure.  Dried  cow  manure 
is  generally  recommended,  but  is  not  indispensable. 
To  sum  up,  there  are  two  or  three  points  to  be  remembered  in  the 
culture  of  Cyclamen  persicum,  which  ii'  success  is  desired  must  never 
be  neglected.  Adequate  moisture  at  the  roots,  and  in  summer  about 
and  amongst  the  plants  is  essential.  They  should  always  be  kept  as 
near  the  glass  as  the  leaves  and  flowers  will  permit.  Shade  from  hot 
sun,  which  they  do  not  love,  and  feed  liberally  when  throwing-up  the 
flowers,  either  by  the  means  of  surface  dressings  of  artificial  manure 
or  diluted  liquid  manure.  Thrips  and  green  fly  give  trouble  at  times, 
but  as  a  rule  if  care  is  taken  in  culture  the  former  will  not  put  in  an 
