COMMERCIAL VIOLET CULTURE. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The sweet violet, Viola odorata, from 

 which our cultivated forms have doubtless arisen, 

 is widely distributed over Europe and Asia, but 

 is not found native in America. The violet has 

 been cultivated from remote times, first probably 

 as a medicinal plant, but later to satisfy a love for 

 the beautiful. Following are some of the more 

 important forms now grown: 



SINGLE VARIETIES. 



Russian violet. Very hardy and free flower- 

 ing ; flowers medium violet* in color, fairly good 

 size. 



Welsiana* Plant much branched; foliage 



*In referring to the colors of violets we have used Ridgway's 

 Nomenclature of Colors, published by Little, Brown & Co., Boston. 

 The principal colors are the true violet, as will be found in Princess 

 of Wales, and the various shades of mauve. Mauves are a mixture 

 of white with violet. The mauves therefore may be dark or light, 

 depending upon the amount of white present. Marie Louise is a true 

 mauve; Campbell a light mauve. 

 t\s 



