GROUPS OF GARDEN FLOWERS 15 



older name for which was Viola. These flower over a longer season 

 than the Heart's-ease of our forefathers' gardens ; big, handsome flowers, 

 that seem to smile in the sunshine of summer. We admire these 

 fine garden flowers, and by raising seedlings many beautiful forms 

 may be obtained, offering a remarkable range of colouring from selfs 

 through blotched and other forms, some almost bronze, others pic- 

 turesque mixtures, in shading almost black, so intense is the purple 

 tone. 



But to create certain effects, to obtain masses of colour and pretty 

 bouquets for the table, it is better to grow a few of the best tufted 

 Pansies. There is nothing in the least degree difficult in their manage- 

 ment. Cuttings may be taken in July, inserted in a bed of soil in a 

 cool part of the garden, say a north or east aspect anywhere, in fact, 

 away from the full force of the midday sun. Cuttings put in during 

 July will root sufficiently to transfer to the places they are to adorn in 

 the following autumn. For spring planting insert the cuttings in the 

 autumn, and protect them with a rough framework of eight-inch or 

 ten-inch boards. Use the ordinary soil of the garden for the cutting 

 bed ; dig it deeply, and well break it up, then spread over it a compost 

 consisting of loam, leaf-mould, and spent mushroom bed manure in 

 equal parts. Add to this an equal part of coarse silver sand or coarse 

 road grit. Mix the compost well together, pass it through a 

 sieve with a half-inch mesh, then spread it evenly over the place for 

 the cuttings. Level the soil and make it moderately firm with a board 

 or back of the spade. An hour or two before the cuttings are inserted 

 water the soil thoroughly with a fine rose watering-can. The cuttings 

 should be made of recent growths, not pithy hollow stems ; let them be 

 about two inches and a half long, remove the two lower leaves, and cut 

 straight across the lower joint with a sharp knife. It is important, if 

 possible, to obtain the cuttings with a few small roots attached, such as 

 may be obtained when taking from the old stools. Put the cuttings 

 two inches apart in rows. Make them firm at the base ; the rows to be 

 three inches apart as a rule, but some varieties, being weaker than others, 

 require less space. When the cuttings are inserted water them gently. 

 In about three weeks the cuttings will have rooted. The large grower 

 cuts back the plants to secure cuttings or new growths, but those who 

 require fewer tufts need not interfere with the free-flowering of the 

 Pansies. As opportunities offer detach young growths from the crown 

 of the plants and root them, and in many gardens where space is limited 

 a small batch of plants may be raised in wooden boxes three inches or 

 four inches deep, or in pots, placing them in a cool position when pro- 

 pagation takes place in summer, or under a south or south-west wall if 

 propagated in the autumn. 



There are two seasons for planting Pansies autumn and spring. 

 When a very early spring display is required, plant in autumn, say 

 in early October. Choose a warm sheltered spot if possible. Plant 

 them firmly about ten inches apart, well working the soil round 

 the collar of each tuft, and put them a foot apart, not more, and then 

 the intervening space will be quickly covered. Dig deeply the bed or 



