iS/o.] HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 403 



other species of Violets which add, by their beauty or fragrance, or 

 both combined, to the noricultural value of the order ; and those with 

 a turn for deeper sifting than colour and odour will find in the 

 structural peculiarities that characterise the group and determine its 

 affinities much to interest and admire. Viola itself forms the greater 

 bulk of the order, and I am not aware that any of the other genera 

 furnish worthier hardy herbaceous subjects. Erpetion is sometimes 

 included in lists of hardy plants, but it is not hardy in the broader 

 sense, although in a few favoured localities in the south and west of 

 England it has survived mild winters; and Solea, another offset of 

 Viola, though undoubtedly hardy, is of no ornamental value. Erpe- 

 tion may be noticed here because of its great beauty and its useful- 

 ness for out-of-doors work in the summer, in any part of the country. 

 Violas are all plants of the easiest requirements as regards culture. 

 They thrive best in a good rich gritty loam, but do very well in 

 various kinds of soils. A very important point in the culture of these 

 plants is an abundant supply of moisture during the growing season. 

 They are much better adapted for growing in naturally damp soils 

 than in dry ones, and if a choice can be made, this should be remem- 

 bered, otherwise ample artificial supplies must be provided. More 

 particular remarks regarding culture will be made, when necessary, under 

 the species, and all that need be noted here in a general way is, that 

 Violas may all be increased by means of division and cuttings ; and in 

 all cases, where practicable, the latter is the best, because productive of 

 the most vigorous plants ; and it is so simple an operation, and re- 

 quires so few ordinary facilities, that it may be practised every- 

 where. Cuttings may be taken any time early or late in the summer 

 as they can be got, inserted in sandy soil under a hand-glass in a 

 shady place, and kept close for some time, or until they begin making 

 roots, when a little air may be given by degrees, increasing daily. 

 They are all easily raised from seeds also, and by this means varieties 

 of interest and value are obtained, especially of the more variable 

 species, such as the Pansy. The seeds may be sown in spring in pots 

 in a cold frame, or in a bed or border in a warm spot of the garden, 

 afterwards nursing them on by pricking the seedlings out from the 

 seed-bed into rich soil in a somewhat shady but warm position, where 

 they must be abundantly supplied with moisture. 



Erpetion reniforme — New Holland Violet. — This beautiful little 

 plant is too tender to be trusted out in our climate in most parts of 

 the country during winter ; but it is such an essential gem that it 

 should be included in every collection of any pretensions, where a dry 

 cold frame can be afforded it when it wants protection. I have seen 

 it survive mild winters in the neighbourhood of London ; but it was 



