29 

 to grow part of the stock on one aspect and part on another. 



Shade usually suits them here in the summer, especially in 

 hot dry seasons ; at such times they require a north border, 

 and plenty of water. In a dull, rainy season such a position 

 does not suit them ; they will then grow best in a nice open 

 place. In a wet September, mildew is often very 

 troublesome if they are in a shady position. They are easily 

 increased by division after clearing the beds in May, also by 

 cuttings put in a cold frame early in September (see page 39) ; 

 the first plan is the quickest and best. If required for spring 

 flowering they must not exhaust themselves by flowering 

 during the summer, all flowering growths should be pinched 

 back to three or four leaves as soon as the flowers open, or 

 they may be clipped over with shears ; this will cause young 

 shoots to start from the base, but stopping must not be con- 

 tinued too late in the autumn or the flowering will be 

 delayed in the spring. The date for the last stopping will 

 vary according to the locality. For places one hundred miles 

 N, of London, the last week in August will be late enough, 

 a fortnight later will do for those farther south, and for places 

 farther north the middle of August would be the latest date 

 that is safe ; but this can be ascertained best by experiment 

 at each place, the character of the soil has also a decided 

 influence on this point, light soils are warmer and more 

 favourable to autumn growth than cold heavy clays, and the 

 dates must vary accordingly. In cold wet summers, like 

 1907, stopping will not be necessary. Violas like generous 

 treatment, and succeed best if the ground is dug a consider- 

 able time before planting, and a good supply of farmyard 



