58 VIOLACE/E. 



But there are many other species of Violets which add, by 

 their beauty or fragrance, or both combined, to the floricul- 

 tural value of the order; and those with a turn for deeper 

 sifting than colour and odour will find in the structural peculi- 

 arities 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 locali- 

 ties in the south and west of England it has survived mild 

 winters; and Solea, another offset of Viola, though undoubt- 

 edly hardy, is of no ornamental value. Erpetion may be 

 noticed here because of its great beauty and its usefulness 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 m.uch better adapted for 

 growing in naturally damp soils than in dry ones; and if a 

 choice can be made this should be remembered, 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 requires so few ordinary facilities, 

 that it may be practised everywhere. 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 abun- 

 dantly 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 



