HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS 99 



or box towards the end of winter. A position on a greenhouse 

 shelf, or in a frame, will be suitable. When the seedlings begin 

 to crowd each other they may be pricked off three inches apart 

 in larger boxes, and when they touch again planted out of doors. 

 They should be planted in a cool, moist spot to expedite their 

 growth, then they are certain to become strong enough to flower 

 at midsummer or soon after. The best of the seedlings, and any 

 varieties which have been bought as plants under special names, 

 may be propagated by cuttings in late summer or early autumn. 

 It is not wise to strike them early, and so start them . growing 

 before winter, because nothing is gained by it, and they take 

 up more room, need more care, and are more liable to injury 

 from frost, than cuttings put in so late (say October) that they 

 have only time to callus over and make a root or two before the 

 winter. At the time indicated there are generally young, grow- 

 ing shoots on the plants, which will serve as cuttings. If the 

 flowering is so^ profuse and late that there are no growing 

 shoots, the bloom should be suppressed in September, and a 

 top-dressing of fresh soil given to encourage growth. Bits 

 about three inches long do quite well, and they may be put in 

 just clear of each other in very sandy soil in a frame, or in a 

 box covered with squares of glass. They are not likely to suffer 

 in the winter, but a covering may be put over the glass in very 

 severe weather. They ought to be examined now and then during 

 the winter in order to see that aphis is not establishing itself on 

 them. If any insects are seen they should be brushed off, and 

 destroyed. 



What are termed " tufted Pansies " by some writers and florists 

 are Violas, and are dealt with under that name. The following 

 are a few beautiful florist's Pansies : 



A. M. Burnie, yellow, 

 crimson, and purple. 



Constance Abercromby, car- 

 mine, yellow, and black. 



Constance Steel, rose and 

 white. 



Duchess of Montrose, yel- 

 low and black. 



Henry Stirling, yellow, 

 crimson, and black. 



Mrs. R. Fife, crimson 

 and white. 



