Violets, 283 



VIOLETS. 



By E. S. Rand, Jun., Dedhniii, Mass. 



What more appropriate illustration can we have for the May number 

 than the charming clump of violets which we figure ! There is no flower 

 more truly an emblem of spring, none more heartily welcomed when the 

 winter's cold gives place to the capricious days of April. Let us treat of 

 our violets in the succession in which they bloom. 



First, almost blooming in the melting snow, and not at all injured by 

 an occasional snowdrift, is the little single English violet ( Viola odoraia), 

 pretty, and delightfully fragrant. There is no better plant for a warm, 

 sunny bank where the first warm days of spring will call the flowers into 

 blossom, and the whole air will be perfumed with the fragrance. This 

 species needs a rich, deep soil, where it will not be burned up by the sum- 

 mer's sun ; and will not thrive in a dry, sandy soil. When it finds a con- 

 genial situation, it increases with wonderful rapidity, not only by roots but 

 by seed. It is also a good kind for early forcing in frames (as described 

 hereafter) ; coming into bloom in November, and continuing all winter. The 

 flowers are small ; but, under glass, they become long stemmed, and, if the 

 soil is rich, often grow much larger than we ordinarily see them. 



Ne.xt we have the single white English ( Viola alba), a pretty little flower 

 worth growing for variety, and somewhat hardier than the blue, but by no 

 means so fragrant. 



Both of these species should be planted in the grass, where they will usually 

 take care of themselves. In open winters with us in New England, they 

 are frequently killed or much injured ; but, when once well established, they 

 are seldom wholly lost, as seedlings come up plentifully year after year. 

 The double varieties of these two are not very desirable ; the white being 

 rather shy flowering, and the flowers generally having a green centre ; the 

 blue not opening fully, and generally having short stems. These varieties 

 are as hardy as the species. 



By far the most popular violet for the florist, and, indeed, also the only 

 one we see offered for sale, is that commonly called the " Neapolitan Violet " 

 {V. pallida /lore plena). The foliage is light green and shining, and the 



