METHODS OF CULTURE. 25 



originated on the continent of Europe, that it was 

 brought to England about 1879 or 1880, and was 

 imported into the United States in 1892 or possibly 

 earlier. Be that as it may, the variety has made 

 a place for itself, and is now, owing to its great 

 vigor and productiveness, gradually taking the 

 place of the Marie Louise. 



CULTURE PAST AND PRESENT. 



Of the early days of violet growing in this 

 country, that is, the work as it was carried on up 

 to fifteen years ago, little need be said. In most 

 cases the methods employed were crude when 

 looked at from the present point of view, just as 

 our methods will, no doubt, be considered crude 

 by those who follow us. The plants for the most 

 part were grown in frames or in pots, under the 

 mistaken idea that it was necessary to have them 

 near the glass. Even now, despite the rapid 

 advances made in greenhouse construction, it is 

 rare to find a modern violet establishment in the 

 true sense of the word. Sash houses are still 

 largely in vogue, and little resembling the com- 

 pact, business-like structures used for carnations 

 and roses are to be found. We have often been 

 at a loss to account for this, except on the 

 ground that the plant is really one which at 

 times will do fairly well under seemingly very 

 poor treatment, while again all the coaxing and 

 luxurious surroundings imaginable cannot make 

 it thrive. It is a truth well established that more 



