430 GAEDEN MANAGEME^^:'. 



in the baskets, kc, when in perfection. This plan has its advantages ; for as 

 a plant gets shahby it can be instantly changed for another. All who possess a 

 frame, pit, or small greenhouse, would do well to adopt this plan ; for a plant is 

 not so likely to become one-sided if gi-own in a frame ; the one-sidedness of plants 

 grown in windows being evidence of the advantages to be derived from the pos- 

 session of other means. But it does not follow that window-plants must be ill- 

 looking because one-sided ; nor should their tendency that way be checked by 

 turning them, as they are weakened thereby. Whether inside or outside a 

 window, plants naturally turn towards the light, as every one knows who has 

 had any practice with them. Whatever means are at command, the main 

 points in window, as in all other plant culture, are perfect cleanliness, a free 

 open soil and good drainage, a tolerably even temperatvure, and uniform 

 moisture. Where there is a tolerably clear atmosphere, window-gardening 

 may be conducted openl}', but in the midst of town smoke and dust, glass cases 

 become absolutely necessary. 



1285. JS^eapolitan Violet. — This being the season when the Neapolitan violet 

 may be propagated with advantage, a few words on *^e cultivation of this 

 favourite flower will not be out of place. When the plants have flowered 

 for the season, remove them from the soil in which they have been grown and 

 divide them into single crowns, cutting off all runners and selecting the finest 

 flowers only, and plant them out with the trowel nine inches apart each way, 

 pressing the ground fimily round the roots, selecting for the purpose a rich and 

 well-prepared piece of gi'ound with an east aspect, where they can receive the 

 beams of the morning sun. In such a situation they ai-e said to escape the 

 ravages of the red spider and other pests, and to produce larger and brighter 

 flowers. When the plants show signs of growth, stfr the soil about their roots 

 with a small hoe, and spinge them in the evenings of dry hot days with pure 

 water, pinching off all runners as they appear, and keeping the bed free from 

 weeds : nothing more is required for then- culture during the summer months. 



1286. When the time arrives for forcing them, pi-epare the material for 

 a hotbed in the manner already described for making a cucumber-bed, either 

 by building it up or by sinking it in the ground two feet, treading down the 

 dung to prevent an over violent heat at first. Over this place the frame, and 

 cover the bed a foot thick with prepared soil, consisting of the remains of an 

 old cucumber-bed with a little leaf-mould added. The plants ai-e then care- 

 fully removed, with as large a ball of earth roimd the roots as possible, and 

 planted in rows close together, but not touching each other, and so arranged 

 that the foliage may be close to the glass without touching it, as it will settle 

 an inch or two after the lights are put on. When planted, give them a copious 

 watering, even to satm-ation, and in warm showers take the lights off and give 

 them the benefit of it : this will give them a clean healthy appearance. The 

 lights may be kept off all night with advantage when there is no appearance 

 of frost, and all dead, decayed, or turning leaves, should be removed as soon 

 as they appear. Plants thus treated will yield a supply of violets from Novem- 

 ber to April. 



