1944 



VIOLET 



a rule the results obtained are much better than from 

 any other method. 



Frame culture with or without artificial heat: The 

 young plants are placed either directly in the frames, 



2689. Neapolitan (XI). 



2688. Violet. Marie Louise (XI). 



where they are to grow and flower, 

 or else in beds, where they are cul- 

 tivated during the summer and the 

 frames placed over them in the fall, 

 or as soon as they require protection; 

 or they are grown in the field as 

 in the case of field and house cul- 

 ture, and transplanted to the frames 

 some time in September or October. 

 This method is still used to consider- 

 able extent by commercial growers, 

 especially in regions where the temperature seldom if 

 ever falls below zero for any length of time. Amateur 

 growers usually adopt this method because of its sim- 

 plicity and inexpensiveness. 



Pot culture: The young rooted cuttings are planted 

 in thumb-pots and gradually shifted to larger sizes as 

 growth demands until they are in 7-in. pots. Here they 

 are kept and flowered, or the plants are taken up from 

 the field in the fall and put into 7- or 9-in. pots, accord- 

 ing to the size and vigor of the plants. This method is 

 seldom used in commercial growing, being expensive, 

 inconvenient and usually unsatisfactory. 



Time of planting: This varies somewhat with differ- 

 ent growers and in different sections. Generally, how- 

 ever, the best results are obtained where planting is 

 done in early spring. Plants set out at this time get 

 well established, and as a rule are stronger, healthier 

 and 'more vigorous than those set out later, when the 

 weather is usually hot and dry. 



Proper distance in planting: As a rule, the double 

 Violets are planted 8 or 9 in. apart in rows 10 in. apart, 

 and the single ones 12 in. apart in rows 12 to 18 in. 

 apart, the distance depending somewhat on conditions 

 and varieties. Planting too close is liable to induce 

 disease, and too far apart is unprofitable. 



Care and management: The plants should be kept 

 free from all weeds, runners and old decaying leaves, 

 and the earth should be frequently stirred, care being 



VIOLET 



taken not to injure the roots of the plants. During the 

 summer the temperature should be kept as low as pos- 

 sible and in the winter as nearly as possible at 45° to 50° 

 F. at night and 50° to 60° in the daytime. The ventila- 

 tion of the houses should receive careful attention at 

 all times, so that an abundance of fresh air can be sup- 

 plied to the plants when needed. Watering is a difficult 

 problem, usually taxing to the utmost the best judg- 

 ment of the grower. No fixed rules can be laid down 

 as to the proper amount to apply or when to apply it, 

 this depending upon a number of factors, such as the 

 character of the soil, temperature and moisture of the 

 atmosphere, amount of light, etc. As a rule, however, 

 the soil should be kept moist at all times, and the wa- 

 tering should be thorough, but never to such an extent 

 as to cause the soil to remain saturated for any consid- 

 erable length of time. 



Violet Houses and Frames (Fig. 2692). — There is 

 probably little choice between any of the standard 

 styles of greenhouses, provided certain features are 

 observed in their construction. Provision should be 

 made for supplying an abundance of fresh air, either 

 from the sides or top, whenever it is needed, the venti- 

 lators being so arranged as to be easily operated either 

 from within the house or from the outside, the inside 

 arrangement to be used in general ventilation of the 

 houses, the outside whenever fumigation with hydro- 

 cyanic acid gas is necessary. The arrangement and 

 location of the house should be such 

 as to secure the maximum amount 

 of sunshine during December and 

 January, and the minimum amount 

 during the growing season, when it 

 is necessary to maintain as low a 

 temperature as possible so as to in- 

 sure good, vigorous, healthy-grow- 

 ing plants. The location of the 

 house and the direction in which it 

 should run depend largely on the 



2690. txew York (X 1) 



section of the country, the character of the ground 

 on which it is to be erected, and the style of house 

 selected. Generally speaking, the even - span house 

 should run north and south, the three-quarter span and 

 the lean-to east and west. The best site for the house 

 is a level piece of land or one sloping gently to the 

 south. Three kinds of greenhouse framework are in 

 common use in this country; viz., wood, wood and 

 iron, and iron. On account of its comparative cheap- 

 ness and durability the wood and iron framework is 

 coming into general use. 



