56 



IRISH GARDENING 



The Sweet Violet. 



By roi.iN Risi:. l..unh,i.v Islaiul. I^usli. ( o. D.ililin. 



TIM-: violet is popular with all classes o( 

 ihe coniiminity. X'arious mctliods ol 

 culture are adopted by throwers. in 

 some parts of the country tlie plants g-row with 

 a healthv luxuriance, in other districts a thorou<;h 

 and careful system ot" culture is necessary to 

 produce anything like good returns. At this 

 season many growers are making preparations 

 tor increasing their stock. The following 

 method of the propagating and culture ol the 

 plants has proved successful with the writer : — 

 The old plants are dug up and pulled to pieces, 

 and the best of the outside crowns are selected 

 tor planting, the centre of the old plants being 

 useless. A piece of land which has been well 

 trenched during the winter should be selected 

 tor the purpose of growing the plants during the 

 summer months. Now, as to the selection of 

 the site, much diversity of opinion occurs, and 

 this is a matter which is best determined on the 

 spot. Much depends on climate, soil, and local 

 conditions. The violet is naturally a shade- 

 loving plant ; therefore to plant on a gravel or 

 chalk soil in full sunshine courts disaster. On 

 the other hand, on wet clayey soil a south 

 border will suit the plants. If a site can be 

 secured where the plants receive partial shade, 

 such as that afforded by tall trees, this forms 

 an ideal quarter for the summer growth of the 

 violet. Supposing that the surface of the land 

 was left rough and uneven (as it should be) 

 at the time of trenching it will now be 

 necessary to break down the surface by means 

 of the fork. A layer of leaf-soil lightly forked 

 is beneficial, also a sprinkling of soot. Plant 

 the selected crowns in rows fifteen inches apart, 

 leaving twelve inches between the plants in the 

 row. .Make the soil quite firm about the roots. 

 Should the weather be dry, afford a watering to 

 the plants. During the season stir the soil 

 frequently with the Dutch hoe. Should a spell 

 of hot, dry w^eather be experienced during the 

 summer the plants are greatly assisted by being 

 sprayed overhead in the evening. All runners 

 should be removed as soon as they appear. 



The plants must never be allowed to suffer 

 from drought. On dry soils a mulch of well- 

 decayed manure or leaf-soil is beneficial. Should 

 red spider put in an appearance, dust the plants 



with a mixture of soot and lime. Do this be- 

 tore the pest gains a strong! lold. 



I*\ir the ]iroduction o\ llowers during the 

 \\ inter tVaine-iultine is resorted to by the best 

 gi\nvers. .Shallow frames placed o\ er the plants 

 as they are is a plan adopted 1i\ some, while 

 many lift the plants, i\'iilaiiling t hem in prepared 

 heels under the franus. A good plan where 

 quantities ol" lea\es are a\ailable is to make ;i 

 iirni be(.l ol' tiiese :ibou[ three feet in height. 

 Place the frames on the leaves and fill thum 

 with soil. Suitable soil consists of a sandy loam ; 

 hea\y soil should not be used in the frames. 

 I ha\e frequently used old potting soil with 

 excellent results. .Make the soil quite firm. 

 When the plants are in position their leaves 

 should be near the glass of the lights. No set 

 distance can be given for planting in the frames. 

 In some districts the plants will be much larger 

 than in others, and consequently require more 

 room ; then again some varieties make much 

 stronger foliage than do others. As a guide, 

 three clear inches should be left between the 

 outside leaves of the plants. If too crowded, 

 damping of both flowers and foliage is likely 

 to ensue. Give a good watering through a fine- 

 rosed watering pot to settle the soil about the 

 roots of the plants. The lights, which should 

 be thoroughly clean, should be placed in position, 

 and remain on for several days until the plants 

 are somewhat established. They should not, 

 however, remain closed down, a chink of air 

 must be admitted. After this give abundance 

 of air on all favourable occasions. On all fine 

 days, w'hen there is no fear of danger from frost, 

 the lights should be entirely removed. Remove 

 all decaying foliage, and stir the soil frequently 

 by the aid of a stick. A little soot stirred into 

 the soil occasionally during the winter months 

 acts both as a fertiliser and as a deterrent to 

 slugs. Very little water will be required during 

 the winter. When it is necessary to apply 

 water do so in the morning' ot a fine day, 

 so that the foliage has time to dry before 

 evening. The violet can be grown as a pot 

 plant, and when so treated forms a charming 

 subject. The well known Marie Louise is 

 perhaps the best variety tor this purpose. The 

 summer treatment is the same as advised above. 

 In the month of September the plants are care- 

 fully lifted and placed in pots, which are just 

 large enough to accommodate their roots with 

 the addition of a little fresh soil. The added 



