46 PANSY, VIOLA AND VIOLET 



by good strong plants and a fine display of early 

 flowers. 



From time to time, after planting, the hoe should be 

 kept busy between the rows to aerate the soil, and, 

 incidentally, to keep down any weeds which may appear. 



PLANTING IN FRAMES WITH A VIEW TO AN 

 EARLY DISPLAY 



This is a very useful method of procedure if early 

 blooms are wanted. Planting should take place in the 

 Autumn in shallow frames, the soil in which should be 

 prepared as advised for the outdoor beds. Good strong 

 plants should be lifted and planted about 10 inches apart. 

 A warm aspect should be chosen, and shading and air 

 given if the sun becomes unduly hot ; but if the 

 planting is done early in October, this should not cause 

 much inconvenience. Plenty of air should be allowed, 

 and the frame-lights removed altogether whenever 

 possible. 



As the severe weather sets in, of course, the frame- 

 lights should once more be brought into requisition, and 

 during the early months of the year the plants soon 

 begin to develop their blossoms. It is in this connection 

 we see the use of the frame-lights. Owing to the state 

 of the weather at this period, the blooms would soon 

 become dirty and damaged if exposed to the open air, 

 so that the frame-lights should now be left on, although 

 at the same time plenty of air should be allowed by 

 propping them open. 



The soil in the frame should be constantly looked 

 over, and a mulching of rotten manure given to the 

 plants as they begin to grow. If the plants are treated 

 in this manner, and a sharp lookout be kept for aphides 

 and slugs which should be dealt with immediately in 

 the manner advocated before a nice lot of early blooms 

 of large size and good form should result. 



