12 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



"It was the boom made with Viola cornuta about 

 1863, by Mr. John Wills, which raised this species to 

 such a high degree of popularity. In those days summer 

 flower gardening was much practised, and Viola cornuta 

 became largely grown. From Viola lutea came lutea 

 grandiflora, and later in point of time lutea major 

 and My Yellow Boy all capital bedding varieties in 

 their day. 



"About 1870, Mr. B. S. Williams of Holloway intro- 

 duced V. cornuta Perfection, said to have been raised 

 at Rotherfield Park, Hampshire. I have grave doubts 

 on this point, as at the very time Mr. Williams was 

 announcing he had the entire stock, I was able to buy 

 it in quantities at Salisbury. It made a distinct advance 

 as a bedding Viola, and was followed by Enchantress, 

 Sensation, and Admiration, all of the same type, and 

 showing but little difference in colour. The four varieties 

 were of somewhat tall growth, and very subject to mildew 

 when grown in the south. 



" In 1872-73 I introduced Blue Bell. It came as a 

 chance seedling in my little garden at West Baling, 

 where I do not think any form of Viola had been 

 previously grown. I noticed a plant of close tufted 

 growth spreading itself, and I let it bloom, and at once 

 stood sponsor to it. It is essentially a bedder, and when 

 I was at that historical mansion, Syon House, Brentford, 



