268 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



The method of propagating violets by division is ex- 

 tensively followed, although there are objections to it. 

 In dividing the crown year after year, diseases which may 

 be affecting the root tissue are liable to be carried from one 

 year to the next. If the practice is continued, the plants 

 have a tendency to become weak and not resistant to 

 disease. Weak plants produce inferior blooms, quite 

 unlike those produced on plants propagated by cuttings 

 of fresh stock. Still another objection is that propagation 

 by division must be done late in the season, after the 

 blooming period is over. The parent plants are weakened 

 by the abundance of bloom produced during the season, 

 and the weather conditions in April and May are not 

 ideal for the propagation of strong plants. 



344. Soil. Violets usually do well in any well- 

 nourished soil. The best results, however, are obtained 

 from a rather heavy, sandy loam. It should be well 

 drained, yet capable of retaining moisture at all times. 

 Fresh soil should be used each year, and it is usually pre- 

 pared by the compost method as described in Chapter X. 



345. Methods of culture. It is now believed that 

 violets need as ideal conditions for growth as those re- 

 quired for other crops. Earlier in the history of violet 

 culture it was thought that they might be grown in any 

 house and under any conditions. Up-to-date American 

 florists have excellent violet houses. 



The various ways in which violets are grown are field 

 and house culture ; house culture ; frame culture with arti- 

 ficial heat ; frame culture without artificial heat and pot 

 culture. 



346. Field and house culture. In most cases, violets 

 are grown in the field a part of the year. As early in 

 the spring as the ground can be worked, the young plants 



