378 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



planted out in the open border, as tlioy- never flower well in a pot. The per- 

 ennial kinds may be grown either in pots or in the open air, but in the latter 

 case should be taken up and carefully protected during the winter, as they are 

 killed by the slightest frost. They grow best in sandy or gravelly soil, which 

 for the larger growing species may be mixed with a little loam ; but even of 

 these, the poorer and more sandy the soil, the more brilliant will be the color 

 of the flowers, though the stems and leaves will become small and weak. 



All the species should be kept quite dry when in a dormant state, and 

 abundantly supplied with water when about to flower. The perennial kinds 

 are propagated by cuttings, which should be kept dry for several days after 

 they arc put into the ground ; when they begin to M'itlier, supply them with a 

 little water, and they will directly begin to throw out roots. The pots in 

 which these plants are grown should be well drained with cinders, and if put 

 out in the open air set them on a dry sunny bank. 



THE VIOLET. 



The genus containrf upwrfrds of twenty species ; those most esteemed for 

 fragrance being merely vai-ieties of the Viola odorafa, or sweet violet of bota- 

 nists, also called the English violet from its being found in that country in 

 its single or natural state as a wild flower. It is most fragrant and delightful 

 when in retired and partially shaded situations. The species best suited for 

 cultivation are quite double, and of many different colors. The most promi- 

 nent are the Cfsrulea plena, or double blue, and the Neapolitan ; this last is much 

 larger than any of the others, of a beautiful lilac shade, and very finely per- 

 fumed. Besides these, are the Avhite and rose-tinted varieties, both single and 

 double. Other kinds which have a tendency to form stems receive the .appel- 

 lation of tree violets. These arc comparatively rare, but the true "trees" are 

 exceedingly beautiful and difficult of cultivation. 



Many of the varieties will afford flowers at any season of the year if condi 

 tions ai*e favorable. They require cool weather, rather shaded, moist situa- 

 tions. They flower in spring and fall, and can easily be retained in bloom 

 from October till the end of May by the simple help of a cold pit well pro- 

 tected in winter. For such purpose they I'equire to be grown in some moist 

 spot during summer and transplanted to the pit in October; all the after treat- 

 ment necessary being to shelter them from actual frost, and give admission to 

 all the rays of the sun consistent with keeping out the frost ; or they may be 

 potted and grown in a green-house, placing them in the coolest part and as 

 near the glass as possible. They may even be made a window plant, but are 

 not prolific bloomers in this situation as the atmosphere is usually too dry for 

 them. The double kinds arc propagated by offsets and cuttings ; the single 

 ones by seeds or either of the other methods. Except in the case of new kinds 

 in the hands of florists, a simple division of the plant every spring will be suffi- 

 cient, and give a large quantity, as they multiply rapidly. 



Violets form very pretty edgings for parterres where the situation is suit- 

 able, moisture and shade being indispensable. They will grow in ordinary 

 garden soil, but a loam or mucky basin will suit best. In pot culture choose 

 loamy soil, with a plentiful admixture of the manure nature provides for them 

 in their own haunts, decayed leaves or vegetable matter. The Viola odorata 

 of the woods blossoms only in the spring ; the monthly habit has been ob- 

 tained by cultivation. 



MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 



The management of plants in rooms is often found very difficult from the 

 want of proper light and moist air, though this latter may in a measure be obvi- 

 ated by opening the window in front of which the plants stand whenever cir- 



