MO^•THLY CALENDAR. 431 



12S7. It is immaterial, provided a succession is maintained by sepai'ating 

 the crowns as soon as they have done blooming, whether the after-culture 

 is on the bed or in pots plunged in the soil. For pot-culture, the best 

 compost is formed of half-tui-fy loam that has been turned over two or 

 three times during summer, and half-rotten dung and leaf-mould, well 

 mixed together : this should be ready for use by the end of September. At 

 that time the violet plants must be raised fi-om the bed in which they have 

 been growing during the summer with as much earth to their roots as possible. 

 They should then be divested of all their side-shoots or runners. The proper 

 sized pots ai'e 7-inch ones. One strong plant should be put in each pot ; 

 but when they are weak, two or three. The pots should be well drained with 

 broken bones instead of potsherds, for the roots of the \'iolets will lay hold of 

 the bones, which gives vigour to the plants and makes them bloom more 

 profusely. The pots have the advantage of being available for the window, 

 gai-den, or for removal into the drawing-room or hall, as well as for cut 

 flowers. 



T28S. Having potted as many as are necessary for the season, a good supply 

 of water should be given to settle the soil well about the roots, A sufficient 

 number of old melon-boxes with the lights belonging to them should bo 

 arranged in a southern aspect, placing the boxes in such a manner that 

 the lights will throw off rain quickly, and thereby prevent drip, which in 

 winter not only rots the plants, but causes the flowers to be produced 

 sparing^. The boxes being placed in position, a layer of old tan should be 

 put into them four inches thick : in this the pots should be plunged up to their 

 rims in rows till the boxes are filled. It will be necessary to leave three 

 inches' space between the pots, where the plants are large, that air may 

 be allowed to pass freely between and keep off damp, which is aj)t to 

 destroy the plant. If they are so small as not to cover the top of the pots, 

 they may be placed close together. 



12S9. When the temperatm-o is above 50", the lights may be removed 

 during the day, and at night they should be tilted up at the back for the 

 admission of air. When the temperature is below 50°, the lights should be 

 left on ; but even then air should be admitted from behind during the day- 

 time. When the temperature is below 40°, the admission of air should be 

 very partial, if it be admitted at all. At no time after the plants begin 

 ■•,0 bloom should the lights be entirely removed, except for the purpose of 

 ^atei-ing or cleaning the plants, or gathering the flowers. When the weather 

 Is cold, coverings of mats should be applied at night. In hard frosts, two 

 mats should be put on as well as litter. The earth in the pots must never be 

 allowed to freeze if it is possible to prevent it. The coverings must bo 

 removed in fine days. In Llarch and April, as much air as possible should 

 be given if the weather is fine. 



1290. The pots should be examined at all times when the weather will 

 permit. Weeds and decayed leaves must be removed, and a little water 

 given when the soil is dry. Care must be taken to wet the leaves as little as 



