Gardening for Amateurs 



35 



Sweet Violets 



" ^EW flowers are more popular than 

 1~H Violets, and the fact that they can 

 -^- be had in bloom during the autumn 

 and winter by growing them in frames 

 renders them invaluable during the dull 

 months of the year. Violets need rich, 

 well-cultivated ground if they are to 

 do really well, although they will suc- 

 ceed in almost any soil or situation. In 

 poor, badly-prepared ground the blooms 

 are invariably small, and the stalks short. 

 In ordinary good loam the plants yield 

 splendid flowers ; light sandy soil requires 

 the addition of rich, heavy manure like 

 cow manure, which is one of the best to 

 incorporate with such soil, as it has a cool- 

 ing effect and adds humus to the land. 

 Violets are largely grown in frames for the 

 production of cut flowers, but they may be 

 naturalised in the garden with good results. 

 Suitable positions for them are near the 

 sides of walks in the wild garden, and in 

 shady corners ; groups in the hardy flower 

 borders are also quite in keeping ; while 

 a bed or large mass is very delightful. Hot, 

 dry positions, however, should always be 

 avoided, for under such conditions Violets 

 do not flourish. 



Growing them Out of Doors. There 

 is some difference of opinion as to what is 

 the best position in which to grow Violets. 

 Some cultivators give them a north border, 

 while others prefer an open situation. The 

 season really has a great deal to do with the 

 matter. For instance, if the summer is 

 hot and dry the plants will succeed admir- 

 ably on a north border, as the partial shade 

 is beneficial. On the other hand, if it is 

 cold and wet, plants growing in the open 

 garden would be the best, as they would 

 benefit by what suashine and warmth there 

 might be. Taking all things into considera- 

 tion, an open position is to be recommended. 

 At least, it is not well to allow them more 

 shade than that provided by neighbour- 

 ing trees. 



How Violets are Increased. Violets 

 are propagated in April or May either by 

 runners or division of the roots. If the run- 



ners are pegged down early in April, they 

 will soon take root, and can then be planted 

 out for the summer. Plant firmly and put 

 them 15 inches apart each way. It is 

 necessary to water them in after planting, 

 and in the case of dry weather successional 

 waterings will be necessary. Run the hoe 

 between the plants occasionally to keep 

 down weeds, and to prevent the soil from 

 cracking. Cut off any runners that appear 

 during the summer, as these tend to weaken 

 the parent plants. When the weather is 

 hot and sunny, red spider is sometimes 

 troublesome, but this pest must not be 

 allowed to gain a footing or the foliage will 

 be ruined. On the least signs of attack by 

 this minute pest commence to syringe the 

 plants every evening with clear water, 

 directing it with force to the lower surface 

 of the foliage. Weak soot water may also 

 be used in this way with advantage ; if 

 this treatment is regularly carried out there 

 will be little fear of this pernicious insect 

 doing any harm. To increase the plants by 

 division of the roots, pull them to pieces 

 and retain the most vigorous of the young 

 crowns or rooted pieces only, and plant them 

 out as previously described for runners. 

 This work is best carried out during April, so 

 as to give the plants a long season of growth. 

 By September they will be strong plants 

 ready to transplant into frames. Those 

 left in the garden commence to bloom early 

 in the new year, and will produce flowers 

 freely throughout the spring. Plants grown 

 as described can be transferred to other 

 parts of the garden in September in such 

 positions as were suggested above : but it is 

 not advisable to leave the work later than 

 this month, or they will fail to become estab- 

 lished before winter. When naturalised in this 

 way the plants increase and spread annually, 

 and bloom freely for a numl>er of years. 

 Cuttings may be inserted in a frame. 



Violets for Winter. Violets are grown 

 in frames for producing blooms in winter, 

 a time when they are most appreciated, and 

 it is by no means difficult to get good results 

 in this way. Frames that have been used 



