Pansies. 267 



P A N S I E S. 



These lovely and popular flowers are true violets ; they being all 

 descended from the well-known heart's-ease, or lady's-delight, which is 

 botanically known as Viola tricolor, — the three-colored violet. 



This little flower is always a favorite ; and though, in old gardens, it may 

 increase to such an extent as to become a weed, if we adopt the apt defini- 

 tion that a " weed is a flower out of place," yet even in its abundance it is 

 cherished, and from sunny nooks opens its cheery blossoms even in the 

 inclement months of winter. 



The heart's-ease will grow of itself, and care for itself, summer and winter, 

 increase by self-sown seed, and bloom from January to December; but its 

 high-born relative, the pansy, is by no means so easy of culture, and often 

 defies every effort of the florist. 



In the first place, our climate is against the successful culture of this 

 flower. Our summers are too hot, and the flowers dwindle, and grow small- 

 er : so only in spring and autumn do we get large pansies. The plants 

 are impatient of drought, and are often dried up and lost in July and 

 August. 



Again : our winters are very severe upon the plants, which seldom survive 

 alternate freezing and thawing. If, however, protected by snow, or a thin 

 covering of litter, they often give good spring-bloom. 



We are thus forced to grow our pansies in a frame ; and we propose to 

 tell our readers just how we do it. At any time from the first of July to 

 the middle of August, having procured seed of the finest strain, sow it 

 rather thinl}', broadcast, in a frame, in good light but rather fine soil ; cover 

 it lightly; give a watering with a very fine rose from a water-pot ; draw on 

 the sash, and shade from the direct rays of the sun, giving also a little air 

 if the frame becomes too hot. 



In a few days, the young plants will make their appearance. Let them 

 grow, giving water, light, and air as may be required, but being careful not 

 to water too freely, as the plants are liable to damp off. When the seed- 

 lings are large enough to handle, prick them out into another frame, into 

 a fine rich, loamy soil, or into a moist sheltered bed in the flower-garden, 



