CHAPTER IV 



PROPAGATION 



THERE are three recognised methods of propagating 

 Pansies and Violas, viz. : by seed, by cuttings, and 

 by breaking up or dividing old plants into small pieces 

 with a few roots adhering. 



The various methods of procedure are as follows : 



PROPAGATION BY SEED 



This method of propagation is much favoured by 

 those persons who wish for a cheap and easy way of 

 becoming the possessors of a few plants with which to 

 brighten the flower borders and garden generally. As 

 a rule, they are not particular as to what sort of blooms 

 they obtain, also as to whether they are of good form, 

 or good bedders, or anything of that sort. They like to 

 grow a few, just for " a bit of colour," and a very good 

 and interesting way too. 



It must be remembered that Pansies and Violas rarely 

 come true from seed, and if stock of a certain variety is 

 wanted, propagation will have to take place by means of 

 cuttings taken from plants of that particular variety, or 

 by breaking up the old plants. Only occasionally does 

 a seedling plant come true to the parent variety, for, 

 owing to the botanical structure of the Pansy, fertilisation 

 by insects becomes so very easy of accomplishment. 



Fertilisation by insects is clearly and distinctly de- 

 scribed to us by Professor Hillhouse (at the Viola 



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