THRIFT AND LONDON PRIDE. 



137 



The Violet, Viola, and Pansy. 



All these should be cut over, as we call it, once a 

 year, to maintain compactness of character as well as 

 to strengthen the plants. There are many amateurs 

 who do not understand the professional way of annually 

 propagating these flowers, or else they do not care to 

 take the trouble to do so, and who thereby lose their 

 stocks, which otherwise they might save. The plainest 

 and easiest method is to cut all the old rambling growth 

 clean off from each plant. 



The Violet should have all the stuff cut clean from it 

 during the summer, say from May until August, so 

 that each plant may have time to re-feather itself with 

 foliage before the winter. 



The Viola may be treated m the same way m the 

 spring ; and the Pansy should be done in the same 

 manner in September, and then be top-dressed. 



Unless these flowering plants are cut over once a 

 year, or are professionally propagated annually, they 

 will soon wear out and be of no value whatever. 



The Wallflower and Antirrhinum. 



Double "Wallflowers and Antirrhinums should be 

 cut back once a year to prevent them getting barren 

 below, and this applies especially to the Wallflower. 

 The cutting back should be done as soon as the flower- 

 ing is over. Many persons do not like to do this, but 

 it must be done year by year, and then there will be 

 no loss, either as regards the beauty of the plant or of 

 the flowers in the following season. The Antirrhinum 

 may be cut quite back, when a succession of fine young 

 growth will come on, ready for the following season's 

 flower. 



Thrift and London Pride (Saxifraga Umbrosa). 



As edging plants these are very beautiful and useful 

 for many inexpensive gardens, but it is necessary to 



