SEPTEMBER 



IRISH GARDENING. 



1^5 



Sweet Violets. 



EVERYONE loves violets. To the poet they are 

 " spring's earliest, loveliest gems " ; to the 

 gardener '* most welcome flowers, blooming 

 at a time when most other subjects are past " ; to the 

 city dweller they are first favourites as ** button- 

 holes " during the dullest months of the year, and to all 

 they are just the sweetest little flower that grows — a 

 flower that everyone would cultivate if they could, and 

 which, by the wa)-, can be cultivated quite easily if 

 only a little attention is given to details. 



To have sweet violets in flower from October to 

 March it is necessary to use a frame. A shallow frame 

 is best, as the plants should not be kept too far away 

 from the glass. 



The best soil to use is ordinary loam, to which sand 

 and leaf-mould has been added. The frame should be 

 given a good position, its slope, if possible, facing 

 south ; as although the violet is somewhat of a shade- 

 lover, it is the winter culture we are describing, and 

 during these dark months there will not be too much 

 sunlight to distress them, even in a southerly aspect. 

 After transplanling to the frame (plant firmly, placing 

 them about eight inches or a foot apart, 

 and water in) shade for a day or two to 

 check transpiration, and so avoid welting. Keep 

 the frames uncovered in mild weather, 

 and during colder days put on the lights, 

 but give as much ventilation as is possible 

 without risk o( checking growth. During 

 frosty weather the lights must be kept 

 firmlv down, and in very severe weather 

 the frames should be covered with mats, 

 bo.irds, or other protection. No water 

 must be given unless the soil becomes dr\', 

 as there will be little transpiration during 

 the cold weather inside the closed frame. 

 There is one possible trouble — mildew — if 

 the air is kept stagnant for lengthened 

 periods. Therefore take advantage of all 

 spells of sunshine or comparative warmth 

 to ventilate the frames. In many parts of 

 Ireland the winters, however, are so inild 

 that there is practically no trouble with 

 respect to ventilation. 



The work of raising fresh plants foi 

 next season's crop begins in April after 

 the flowering period is over. The sweet 

 violet gives oft' runners, and these may be 

 encouraged to root freely by placing sand 

 on the surface underneath the plants. 

 When sufficiently rooted they may be de- 

 tached, removed from the soil, and planted 

 out in their summer quarters to become 

 established. The old plants may also be 

 separated, and the divisions planted out 

 as well if more plants are wanted than 

 the runners supply. The site chosen should 

 have a northern aspect, as violets cannot 

 bear too much direct summer sunshine. 

 The soil must be deeply dug and well- 

 rotted manure well worked in. Plant 15 

 or 18 inches apart for doubles, but allow 



a two-feet space between for singles, as they are 

 more robust growers. 



During the summer care must be taken not to let 

 them sulTer for want of water or to exhaust themselves 

 by forming runners. These latter should be persistently 

 removed as soon as they appear. This will encourage 

 the production of flower buds. Mulching with well- 

 rotted manure during June will benefit the plants. 

 The continual use of the hoe will do much to aerate the 

 soil and conserve water, and so contribute to the 

 healthy growth of the plants. Dryness of soil is a 

 frequent cause of failure. If red spider appears syringe, 

 and occasionally dress with a mixture of lime and soot 

 if syringing seems to fail. The violet is very sensitive 

 to impure air ; hence the non-success attending attempts 

 at culture in most towns. It is a true lover of the 

 country, delighting in moist soil under partial shade. 



Varieties. — The following are a few of the varieties 

 grown. Sing/es. — Princess of Wales, with large, rich 

 violet-blue flowers on extra long stalks, habit strong, 

 scent powerful ; California, flowers large, violet-purple, 

 scent delicious, useful for forcing ; La France, flowers 

 large, deep blue, very fragrant ; White Czar, flowers 

 a pure white. Voiid/es. — Mnne Louise, flowers blush- 

 lavender and white, sweetly scented ; De Parme, 

 flowers lavender-blue, good for winter-flowering ; King 

 of X'iolets, flowers large, a good out-of-doors variety ; 

 Neopolitan is good but difficult to grow. 



Cott.u;e Tllip, Mks. Moon. 



(Much Reduced.) 



