24 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



Time to Sow. Pansies and Violas are so amenable to 

 cultivation that, given careful treatment, they can be sown 

 at any time with a fair prospect of success, but, to obtain the 

 best results, they should be sown in April or May, in boxes 

 placed either in a cool greenhouse or frame. The boxes 

 should be covered with a sheet of glass, and the seed ought 

 to be sown thinly, so that the plants may be allowed to 

 remain in the boxes till they are sturdy little fellows with 

 fine healthy leaves about an inch in diameter. In June, or 

 early in July, the seedlings must be transplanted to a pre- 

 pared frame or bed in the open. This may be ordinary 

 garden soil to which has been added some old, well de- 

 composed manure or leaf-mould ; and, if the soil is of a 

 tenacious character some sand may be added, but not other- 

 wise. Plant the seedlings in it three or four inches apart, 

 and give careful attention to watering ; if the position is 

 fully exposed to the sun some shading will be required. 

 Shortly after the plants become established blooms will 

 begin to appear, but these should be removed, as the special 

 object in view is to obtain strong healthy plants to put 

 out into their flowering quarters in September. Seedlings 

 raised in this way will invariably stand the winter well in 

 the open, except in the most exposed positions. Where it 

 is desired to have a display in such a position, the plants 

 should be left where they can have a little protection by 

 means of a sash or otherwise during the winter, and be 



