CUT-FLOWER CROPS 269 



which have been in the cold frame are planted directly in 

 the field. Here they are given careful attention during 

 the summer, quite similar to the field culture of carnations. 



347. Season of year for planting in greenhouses. In 

 the fall, the violets are lifted with a ball of earth and 

 transplanted into beds or benches in the houses where 

 they are to bloom during the winter. Most growers 

 believe that it is better not to house the violets much be- 

 fore the middle of October, thus avoiding high tempera- 

 tures, such as may occur in houses in the early fall. 



348. Solid beds or raised benches. The larger num- 

 ber of growers prefer solid beds to raised benches, as in 

 them it is easier to maintain a cool, moist soil, such as the 

 violet naturally likes. 



349. Planting violets. The distance for planting 

 varies with different varieties. As a rule, double violets 

 are planted eight or nine inches apart in rows ten inches 

 apart; and single ones are planted about twelve inches 

 apart, in rows twelve inches apart. Close planting 

 should be avoided, as it is likely to cause many diseases. 



350. Care of plants. When planting, all runners and 

 decayed leaves should be removed, and in a week or two 

 the plants should be looked over and again any dead 

 leaves or weeds removed, and the soil stirred. The 

 plants should not be placed too deeply in the soil, for if 

 the crown is covered, decay quite frequently occurs. 

 After the plants are in place, they should be thoroughly 

 watered, and given all the air possible. It is well to cover 

 the glass with whitewash or something similar, but as 

 soon as the plants are well established, all shade should be 

 removed. The first watering is all the plants should have 

 until they become thoroughly established in the soil. 



351. Temperature requirements. The temperature 



