232 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



is the sprinkling at frequent intervals over the plants of a mixture 

 of sulphur and soot. The ingredients should be placed dry in a 

 muslin bag tied to the end of a stick, and the contents be shaken 

 over the bed. Care must be taken to choose a windless day for 

 the operation, otherwise more soot and sulphur will be blown into 

 one's eyes than is altogether comfortable. 



Another rule in the summer treatment of violets that must on 

 no account be neglected is the removal of the runners. If they 

 be allowed to remain attached to the plants the latter will soon be 

 exhausted, and that will prevent the full development of the 

 crown, upon which the coming harvest of bloom entirely depends. 



Where it is intended to flower the plants out of doors it will be 

 necessary as autumn approaches to remove them to a warm and 

 sheltered quarter of the garden. This must be a position hi which 

 during the dull days of the year they will obtain the maximum 

 amount of sunshine and the minimum share of cold winds. 



But it is only in unexposed, sheltered places that violets will 

 thrive in the open during winter. It is generally found necessary 

 to transfer the plants to cold frames for flowering. Frames in 

 which melons and cucumbers have been grown during the summer 

 will be found eminently suitable for the purpose. A great point 

 to bear in mind is the desirability of keeping the crowns of the 

 plants as near to the glass as possible. If, therefore, it is neces- 

 sary to raise the bed this should be done before the plants are put 

 in their winter quarters. 



A day before lifting the violets from the outdoor bed they 

 should be well watered. By taking this precaution it will be 

 possible to lift the roots so that they bring away with them a 

 good-sized ball of earth. They should be planted a foot apart in 

 the frames, and be watered in immediately. 



It is well to remember that the violet is a hardy plant. Plenty 

 of air must be supplied day and night so long as the weather 

 remains mild ; only at the approach of frost will it be necessary 

 to supply protection by keeping the lights closed tightly down. 

 During a severe visitation of frost it may be desirable to afford 

 further protection by means of mats, but better success will be 



