IN MY LADY'S GARDEN 



violas (including pansies) all of which will form roots very 

 surely in a frame or under a bell-glass. Without the help of 

 the moistened air which is thus afforded, the cuttings are apt 

 to die during a time of drought before they have time to 

 throw out roots, but in a frame (which can easily be shaded 

 from the noonday sun with a light mat) they will do well. 

 The lights may be kept almost close for the first few days, 

 only giving a crack of air at the top of the frame ; but after 

 a week or two the cuttings may have a little more air, avoid- 

 ing, however, any exposure to strong sunshine, which is 

 not desirable until they have rooted. 



The soil in the frame should be sandy and light, without 

 manure, and the cuttings can be dibbled in 6 inches apart 

 (or less in the case of pinks), keeping them fairly moist, 

 though not too wet. If well done, they should be fit to 

 plant in their flowering positions in the borders in October, 

 or early in November ; those which fail to make good 

 growth by that time must be left in the frame until the 

 following March ; but all these flowers do best when planted 

 in the autumn, except, perhaps, in very cold districts. 



Pansies and violas are now throwing up fresh shoots from 

 the centre of the plant, having completed their spring 

 growth. These young shoots may often be pulled off with 

 a slight " heel," and a tiny rootlet attached to it, when they 

 start quickly and make good plants. 



It is difficult to have too many violas in the garden. For 

 continuous bloom in grand masses of colour, few plants can 

 vie with them, and for carpeting beds of roses, or for edging 

 half-shaped borders, they are very valuable. 



One of the most beautiful of these Scotch violas (which 

 has a perfect form of large size in purest white, with a 

 distinct golden eye, slightly rayed with black), is Bethea, 

 with frilled petals ; Endymion, in delicately shaded sulphur- 

 yellow, is another great beauty ; and Archie Grant, with 

 magnificent flowers in pure violet, contrasts delightfully 

 with Bullion, in deepest gold. Blue Cloud is a delicate 

 blossom in creamy white, edged with sky-blue ; Debbie's 

 Blue Bedder is a particularly neat, compact plant, most desir- 



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