The Canadian' Horticulturist. 363 



VIOLETS. 



lOLETS are known in Europe as the imperial flower. They belong 

 to the pansy family (Viola). They express faithfulness, and this is 

 perhaps why Bonaparte first adopted the violet as the imperial 

 flower. 1 he Paris Temps relates that before departing for the 

 Island of Elba, Bonaparte was walking in the gardens of the Fon- 

 tainebleau, accompanied by the Due de Bessano and General 

 Bertrand. The emperor was still uncertain whether he should 

 offer resistence or betake himself into exile in peace. The Due de Bessano was 

 endeavoring to show him that it was now no time for drawing back. Greatly 

 impressed by the objections of his secretary, Napoleon continued to walk up 

 and down in silence. He had no reply to make, and he was seeking 

 something to distract his attention from the embarrassment of his position. 

 Suddenly he saw near him a pretty child of 

 three or four years of age, who was picking 

 violets, of which he had already made a little 

 bunch. " My dear," said the emperor, " will 

 you give me your nosegay ? " " Certainly, 

 sir," replied the lad, handing it to him with 

 infinite grace. Bonaparte took the flowers. Fig. 100.5.— Basket of Flowers. 

 and kissed the child (whom he recognized as the son of a man employed about the 

 chateau), and continued his walk. " Well, gentlemen," he said to his courtiers 

 after a few minutes' silence, " what do you think of that child ? This chance 

 meeting seems to me like a piece of advice warning me for the future to imitate 

 this modest flower. Yes, gentlemen, henceforward violets shall be the emblem 

 of my desires." The emperor's adherents afterwards carried a bunch of violets 

 in their hand, or wore them in their buttonhole when in season : this is how 

 they recognized one another. 



There is no flower unless it is the rose, more prized by our ladies than 

 English violets. The species known by this name is found all over Europe, in 

 some parts of China and Japan. Marie Louise, dark blue, and Neapolitan, 

 light blue, are the most in cultivation, Swanley White, has lately come to us 

 from Europe, and is so much in demand in the cities that it is not very plenty 

 yet. The single dark blue, Csesar, is prized by many, but I cannot see that it 

 has any special quality, unless it be profusion of bloom. 



Violets have been recommended for house-blooming, but my experience is 

 that they do not do well in the house on account of the dry atmosphere. If 

 placed in a conservatory in the cool part, near the glass, they will give an 

 abundance of bloom. The essential points for violets are a soil that is porous 

 and at the same time has enough clay to retain nourishment, and low tempera- 

 ture, not over 40° by night, and 60° by day, with plenty of air in bright 

 weather.- -Farm and Home. 



