58 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



better in some than in others. The plants will grow and 

 flower freely in any ordinary garden soil, and that which will 

 produce good vegetables will be found equally suitable for the 

 growth of Violets. In preparing the bed or border to receive 

 the plants do not charge the soil with a mass of rank manure, 

 as this in all probability would lead to much leaf growth and 

 few flowers, the latter being in small proportion to the foliage. 

 Those who have a light, hungry soil to deal with might im- 

 prove its staple certainly by digging in some thoroughly 

 decayed cow manure. This while feeding the roots would 

 tend to keep the ground cool and moist during summer, no 

 small feature in successful Violet culture. The Violet does 

 not grow naturally in a place where rank manure prevails ; 

 the plants require rather shade and moisture, and a soil rich 

 in humus, viz., the accumulation of decaying leaves for many 

 years. A free addition of leaf-mould is an advantage, especi- 

 ally to heavy soils that are inclined to bake and then crack 

 under the influence of the sun. The presence of decayed 

 leaves in the ground would prevent this, while the roots would 

 revel in what is naturally their chief rooting medium. 



Some growers are so situated that they find it is diffi- 

 cult to secure either cow manure or leaf-mould, but the 

 Violet is not particular, thriving quite as well when the site 

 is dressed with what we may term a mixed compost. The 

 ordinary rubbish heap contains more valuable plant food 

 than many imagine, especially after all the nondescript 

 material has gone through a process of decay, the germi- 

 nating power of the seed of weeds destroyed, and the whole 

 turned and well mixed. A good heap of such compost may 

 be used with advantage for most flowers, and none would suc- 

 ceed better than Violets. Of other suitable dressing mention 

 might be made of spent mushroom dung or the remains of 

 an old hot-bed. Lime, wood ashes, or fresh horse droppings 

 should be avoided, as these are not moisture-holding agencies, 

 therefore they are not suitable for the plants under notice. 

 Whatever dressing is used should be dug into the ground 

 deeply some time before the plants are put out. 



Position of Beds. In summer while the plants are mak- 

 ing their growth a shady spot is best, or partially so, as 

 the foliage, being so liable to the attacks of red spider, is 

 more likely to become infested in a hot, dry position than if 

 the plants are grown in a cool and shady one. North or east 

 borders should be selected, or the shady side of a hedge, 

 between fruit trees and bushes, or any position where the 

 plants will receive shade during the heat of summer. In 

 such places, too, the plants often produce an abundance of 



