222 MY GARDEN. 



be carefully watched, otherwise, in the absence of the gardener, he 

 moves like an automatic machine, turning over the bulbs without the 

 slightest remorse. Bulbous plants cannot be retained where the 

 digging is done by labourers. Labourers in the bulb garden are as 

 destructive as pigs, for what one digs in with his spade the other 

 uproots with its snout. 



Milton well describes a bulbous plant when he sings : 



" So, from the root, 



Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves 

 More airy ; last, the bright consummate flower 

 Spirits od'rous breathes." 



PERENNIAL PLANTS. 



" There sprang the violet all new, 

 And fresh pervinke rich of hew, 

 And floures yellow, white and rede, 

 Such plenty grew there never in mede." CHAUCER. 



In early spring the Violet (Viola odoratd) is the choicest of our 

 native flowers. When grown upon a well-exposed bank, where 

 the plant is thoroughly ripened, a patch of violets in full blossom 



makes a magnificent display. There are many 

 varieties, one of which, the single Russian (fig. 

 428), is very beautiful. The Czar has large 

 leaves, and big, coarse, but highly-scented 

 flowers. The single and double blue Neapo- 

 litan violets are great favourites at Paris and 

 Florence, where they are used for bouquets. 

 FIG. 428. -Russian violet. The colour of the flower is an exquisite pale 

 blue, and when surrounded with white snowdrops, or themselves sur- 

 rounding a white camellia, the effect is admirable. With me this 

 variety is delicate, and, though I have had many plants, not one 

 survives. It is well worth the protection of a frame. There are 

 white violets and tree violets, both good. I have a little violet 

 garden in which the various varieties are cultivated along with the 

 British orchids. We also grow the wild yellow unscented violet ; and 



