142 HEARTSEASE, VIOLAS, AND VIOLETS [CH. 



Sweet Violets may be grown in almost any soil, 

 but they thrive best on free sandy loam. A somewhat 

 shaded place which has produced early potatoes is almost 

 an ideal spot in which to plant them out of their 

 nursery beds. In the suburbs of Paris, and of late 

 years in some districts of the County of Cork, the 

 cultivation of Violets is largely carried on, and in such 

 favoured places Violet farms of 3 or 4 acres produce 

 very considerable incomes to the fair and enterprising 

 farmer. 



Violets require a certain kind of shelter not of a wall, 

 but rather a hedge-row, through which they get currents of 

 pure air ; but when the soil is deep and rich they will bear 

 a considerable amount of sunshine. By planting them at 

 different times, and in different positions, a succession of 

 bloom may be ensured. 



The most satisfactory of all the varieties is the Czar a 

 very robust and sweet Violet. And one much less known, 

 but quite as good, is a sort of double Czar, of a dwarf- 

 spreading habit. Some of the more recent introductions 

 are La France ', Princess of Wales, and the vigorous Cali- 

 fornian strains, such as Admiral Avellan and Luxenne. 

 Then there are the beautiful double violets Marie Louise, a 

 vast improvement on the Neapolitan a double mauve, 

 not quite hardy and the double white Comte de Brazza, 

 or Swanley white. These latter are best grown in sod 

 frames, with the occasional protection of a glass light 

 during frosty weather. Treated in this way, or in pots in 

 a cold greenhouse, they will bloom all through winter. 



