32 PANSY, VIOLA AND VIOLET 



inserted, a gentle but thorough watering should be 

 given from a fine-rosed can. This will allow the soil to 

 settle down, but on no occasion should the water be 

 allowed to fall heavily on the cuttings, or disaster may 

 occur in the shape of some of them getting washed up 

 out of the soil. 



The frame-light should now be placed on and kept 

 there for a few weeks, and shading afforded when 

 necessary. Air should be admitted, according to the 

 atmospheric conditions prevailing outside at the time, 

 and water given if required. If green fly or red spider 

 make an appearance, a thorough syringing with the soft 

 soap solution, above recommended, will have the effect 

 of clearing the cuttings of these pests. In about a 

 month to six weeks the cuttings inserted in September 

 should be nicely rooted, and before the hard weather 

 sets in should be nice sturdy little plants. When the 

 young plants are well rooted, the frame-lights may be 

 drawn down in favourable weather, thus encouraging 

 the plants to become as hardy as possible for planting 

 out in the ensuing Spring. At any rate this course may 

 be recommended for growers not in the immediate 

 vicinity of large towns, where the smoky and heavy 

 atmosphere which obtains during the winter months 

 proves so destructive poison-laden as it is to the young 

 plants. In such cases it would be wise to keep the 

 frame-light on the frames, except on specially fine days. 



If the grower intends to practise Autumn planting, the 

 cuttings should be inserted during June, July and early 

 August, in order that the young plants may be 

 sufficiently strong for planting out in October. In this 

 case a shady position should be secured for the pro- 

 pagating bed, and plenty of shade given during the 

 rooting process in the manner before suggested. Air 

 should be admitted as freely as possible. In fact, pro- 

 pagation at this time of the year may be done without 



