304 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



the light should be kept closed for a week or ten days, after- 

 wards air must be given on all favourable occasions. The only 

 precaution that needs to be taken is to protect the cuttings from 

 severe frost by means of mats. 



Soon after growth becomes active in early spring the top of 

 each stem should be pinched out so as to promote a bushy habit 

 By the middle of April they will have become strong and sturdy, 

 and may then be planted out in the beds and borders where they 

 are to flower. 



VIOLAS AND PANSIES. The propagation of the viola and the 

 pansy may be undertaken in late summer or early autumn, 

 provided the conditions are favourable. It would not be wise 

 indeed, it would most assuredly be followed by failure if the 

 attempt were made during hot, dry weather. Dull, showery 

 weather is the best time to perform the operation. Some such 

 period should be watched for in August or September and ad- 

 vantage be taken of it. 



A glance at Diagram 49 will afford several useful hints as to 

 the best method of propagation by means of cuttings. The large 

 group at the top of the picture shows the kind of clump from which 

 the cuttings may be taken, and the portions indicated in black 

 show the right kind of cuttings to take. These are made from the 

 short sturdy growths sent up from the base of the plant. 



The cuttings should be trimmed as in Figure 3. The lower 

 leaves are removed from the stem and a sharp horizontal cut made 

 just below the lowest joint. Avoid above everything the kind of 

 cutting depicted in Figure 4. This is hollow, and should be dis- 

 carded as useless. In selecting a batch of cuttings care should be 

 taken to keep each variety separate and properly named, so as to 

 avoid confusion when the time comes for planting out. 



As to the best place in which to put the cuttings, it will not be 

 difficult to arrive at a decision if the natural preference of the plant 

 for shade and moisture be borne in mind. If you have a cold frame 

 and can spare space in it for a few dozen viola and pansy cuttings, 

 put it in a cool corner facing north. This will save you a good 

 deal of trouble in providing shading later on. It is a good plan 



