14 Violets, 



The Horticulturist. 



THE October number of The Horticulturist is this day received, and its con- 

 tents glanced at, which appear full of valuable instruction ; its field is broad and 

 open, its success is sure while thus conducted, and I trust will prove profitable to 

 both publisher and readers. 



Our pear crop is harvested, quite light ; grapes all gathered, below medium in 

 quantity, but above in quality ; apple picking brisk, crop a good one, far above 

 average, except in the North part of the State; and instead of 106, as Agricultural 

 Department had it for July, I would now put it 112. S. Foster. 



Violets. 



BY ROBERT J. IIxVLLIDAY, BALTIMORE, MD. 



HAVINCr been asked to reply through your columns which is the best violet and 

 our manner of growing the same, I respond as follows: 



We have grown them profitably for the past fifteen years for their bloom. We 

 plant in cold frames of well prepared soil about the end of September, say 

 two thousand plants, these commence flowering two weeks after removal ; from the 

 1st of November to the 1st of February, we pluck from fifteen hundred to two 

 thousand daily. After this the sun becomes stronger, and they flower more abundant- 

 ly, until about the 1st of April, when they cease. The sash are then removed to 

 allow the plants to grow and harden before we separate them ; about the 1st of May 

 we take the old plants up and divide them, making say from ten to fifteen out of 

 each, or as many as we can get with good crowns and roots — tops and roots cut back 

 like strawberries, and then planted in open field in good rich soil. 



Start your plants early in spring, so that they may be well established before the 

 summer droughts commence. Artificial heat is not required to bloom the violet ; 

 bank your frames well with leaves or manure, cover early in the afternoon in severe 

 weather with mats, salt hay, etc. Here is where so many fail in growing them ; 

 they do not keep them warm enough at night. 



Best Violet for I'orchif/ for Winter Jtlonin. 



We have always considered the old Neapolitan, the best and most profitable for 

 flowers until this season ; color blue double, very fragrant and profuse flowerer. 



Maria Louise — This new variety we have had for the past twelve months, but never 

 fully tested until the present season. It surpasses all others, equally as fragrant as 

 the former variety ; color rich, deep, bluish violet, often with a red streak through 

 center of flower — for the cut flower trade it has no equal. Six flowers of this 

 variety will go as far in the making up of a bouquet as fifteen of the Neapolitans. 

 We have them flowering now in great perfection. The runners of this variety flower 

 abundantly, and should never be cut ofl", as they are in other varieties. 

 I Czar Violet. — Have never grown it extensively, color too dark, and flower single, 

 which are both against it for the flower trade. 



Neapolitan Alba — (Double white) poor flowerer. 



King of Violets — Double large, deep blue. 



Shoe7ibrun — Single blue, very profuse. 



