1870.] HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 443 



group of which was pointed out to us as being the original L. speciosum, grown 

 on from the original stock, which has never been lost. On examining the flowers? 

 we found they had all the characteristics of Mr "Wilson's plants, and we have 

 therefore now no doubt upon two points, that the Lily in question is the best 

 of all the forms of speciosum, and that it is not beyond the reach of those who 

 wish to obtain it. 



NOTES ON" HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 



VIOLACE.E. 

 {Continued from page 405.) 



V. odorata — Sweet Violet. — It would be superfluous to describe this 

 universally known and cherished plant. In one or more of its varieties 

 it is to be seen in every garden, large or small ; all love it, and well 

 they may, for its modest beauty and sweetness are unrivalled. The 

 immense demand for it about the large cities, such as London, Man- 

 chester, and Liverpool, throughout the spring, has rendered its culture 

 a profitable branch of market-gardening, and acres of Violets are to be 

 met with in the neighbourhood of such places : and the gardener in 

 private establishments must have a long season of Violets by whatever 

 means, or he fails to please the ladies by a good many points ; for 

 Violets, in season and out of season, are indispensable in many estab- 

 lishments. The Sweet Violet is a British plant, common in many 

 parts in hedgerows, open woods, and pastures, and very generally 

 affecting clayey districts ; while in many widespread parts, where the 

 soil is gravelly, or hot and dry, it is rarely if ever seen. The plant, in 

 fact, prefers moderate shade and considerable moisture, and strong 

 rich loam to grow in ; and the nearer we can attain to these conditions 

 in cultivation, the greater will be our success. 



Many have written on the culture of the Violet, and the writers have 

 by no means been harmonious in the practice they inculcated, though 

 each has stoutly enough maintained that his, and his only, was correct 

 and likely to be attended with success — as indeed it may really have 

 been in his circumstances, but not therefore the best for one differently 

 situated as regards climate, soil, and choice of aspect. A moderately 

 heavy rich soil is that in which they thrive best, and sustain the most 

 continuous and abundant bloom ; and if the natural soil is in any point 

 short of this, the best means at command should be adopted to bring 

 it up to the desired condition. If it is light and gravelly, clay and 

 manure should be added to it, in requisite quantity ; or if a poor hard 

 clay, sharp gritty matter, with no stint of old manure, would be the 

 proper correctives. As regards the aspect of the spot on which they 



