42 PANSY, VIOLA AND VIOLET 



well-rotted cow manure, pulverised clay, etc., according 

 to the character of the soil. The ground having been 

 finally raked over and levelled, the beds may be marked 

 out. 



If the plants are to be put in in the Spring, the 

 ground should be well trenched, as above, in the late 

 Autumn if possible, and the weather and frost allowed 

 to get in. Not only will this have the effect of making 

 the soil more friable, but it also will have the effect of 

 killing at least a certain number of insects and weeds. 

 The ground, left in this way, can be broken up with 

 great facility, and late in February it should be forked 

 over and treated in the same manner as suggested for 

 Autumn planting. 



Some growers advocate planting early in March or 

 even earlier, in order that the plants may become 

 established in good time, whilst others prefer to wait 

 until the arrival of more genial weather and plant early in 

 April, thus ensuring immunity from severe frosts or the 

 bad effects of the east winds. If a sheltered position can 

 be afforded the plants, and protection given when planted, 

 the sooner they are in their flowering quarters the 

 better. Shelter can generally be arranged for in the 

 shape of an inverted flower pot, and Pansies planted even 

 in April are not averse to this treatment, especially if 

 the position is very exposed or the weather inclement. 

 However, as a general rule, late in March or early in 

 April will be found a very good time for planting ; the 

 weather becoming more genial day by day, and the 

 biting effects of the east wind by this time having 

 ceased, the plants should become speedily established. 



PLANTING IN THE BEDS 



Taking Autumn planting in the first place : the 

 ground should be finally raked over and a 'Mine" 

 placed along each side of the bed, in order to keep the 



