20 PANSY, VIOLA AND VIOLET 



of sharp sand just sufficient to make the compost porous. 

 The ingredients should be passed through a sieve with 

 a mesh of about half an inch, and the whole thoroughly 

 mixed and afterwards placed in a dry situation. The 

 question as to whether the compost is porous or not may 

 be efeily tested by taking a handful and pressing it 

 rathe^ttightly. If sufficient sand has been added the 



* >ost will fall away readily. 



The sowing may take place almost anywhere in pots, 

 pans, frames, boxes, or in the open ground. For this 

 period, perhaps, the best method is to use a small 

 frame with a frame-light, so that the seeds may be pro- 

 tected from any heavy rain and from the depredations of 

 birds, and also as a means of preventing the frame from 

 being used as a happy hunting-ground for cats and such 

 like. The seeds may also be sown in the greenhouse, 

 but an outdoor position is preferable, as the small plants 

 are apt to get infested with green fly at this period of 

 the year in more artificial and unnatural conditions. 



If a small frame is not available, the bottom of a fairly 

 large box can be knocked out, the four remaining sides 

 forming a frame quite suitable for the present purpose. 

 This can be covered with a small frame-light or pieces 

 of glass until germination takes place, thus affording 

 protection from the elements. 



Assuming the above method is to be followed, a 

 position with a fairly warm aspect should be chosen, and 

 the ground on which the frame is to stand should be 

 lightly forked over, and then pressed down level and 

 firmed with the back of a spade. 



The compost, to the depth of several inches, should 

 then be introduced, and this also levelled and made 

 fairly firm. It is important that the surface should be 

 quite level. 



Before sowing the seeds, a light watering from a 

 fine-rosed can should be given, and the compost, thus 



