TO THE FLOWER GARDEN. Q70 



in equal parts. To secure the tree-like habit the crown of 

 vigorous young plants must be encouraged to push upwards 

 by the removal of all lateral growth, otherwise this variety 

 spreads out its runners just like other Violets. There are 

 several other varieties of the Sweet Violet, but these are the 

 best. The whole genus, with one or two tender exceptions, 

 are worth cultivating as hardy perennials. They grow very 

 freely in good garden soil, preferring loam moderately rich. 

 Increased by division, Tliose which grow with stems, like 

 the Heartsease or Pansy, should be frequently renewed from 

 cuttings, which should, moreover, be as far as possible the 

 young shoots from the root, in preference to the tips of the 

 older shoots. 



Viola tricolor (Pansy). — The numerous varieties of 

 this popular flower, frequently called Heartsease, originated 

 from the common three-coloured Violet. Like the varieties of 

 the Pink, these require to be constantly renewed by striking 

 cuttings ; for, as may have been observed by many who have 

 grown them, the blooms come smaller and out of character as 

 the plants get larger and older. It is true there are more 

 flowers on the plants when they enlarge, but there is a great 

 alteration for the worse in their colours and forms. The 

 ground in which they thrive most is good rich loam. They 

 should be grown in beds six inches apart every way. The 

 side-shoots make the best plants. They should be stripped 

 off when they are two inches long, and they may be put 

 into the ground half their length, and covered with a hand- 

 glass. If the place be shady, so much the less trouble ; but if 

 not, the hand-glass must be covered so as to keep off the hot 

 sun : the cuttings must be kept well watered till rooted. To 

 have the Heartsease in perfection there should be a constant 

 supply of cuttings ; and when they are struck, which will be 

 seen by their beginning to grow, they should be very carefully 

 lifted, so as to break none of their fibres, and planted out 

 wherever they are to bloom, whether it be in the borders or 

 in beds, the evening after sunset being chosen for the job of 

 transplanting, because the plants have the benefit of all the 

 night to settle before the sun can hurt them. After they are 

 planted out they should be well watered. When the plants 

 get large cut them down close, and all the shoots that come 



