Gardening for Amateurs 



37 



after planting is completed, and it should 

 be quite 18 inches in depth. A layer of soil 

 12 inches thick is placed on the top, con- 

 sisting of 2 parts loam (turfy soil) and 1 

 part well-rotted manure, with the addition 

 of some coarse sand or old mortar rubble. 

 Bring the soil well up to the top of the 

 frame, so that the Violets when planted 

 almost touch the glass. Tliis is very import- 

 ant, for if they are a long way from the light 

 they become weak and " drawn." Take 

 them up from the open ground with a good 

 ball of soil attached to the roots, and plant 

 them firmly, but do not allow the crowns 

 or centres to be covered with soil. They may 

 be placed fairly close together in the frame ; 

 15 inches apart each way is sufficient space 

 to leave for the vigorous sorts like Princess 

 of Wales, and 10 or 12 inches for the others. 

 Give a good watering after planting, and 

 give little ventilation for a week or ten days. 

 as in this way the plants become estab- 

 lished in the fresh soil sooner than if given 

 air freely from the first. It is also advis- 

 able to spray them over with a syringe about 

 twice a day for a few weeks during bright 

 weather. When the plants are well estab- 

 lished give more air ; in fact, during mild 

 weather the lights should be taken off en- 

 tirely, as success with Violets depends very 

 largely upon their being kept cool ; only by 

 admitting fresh air in all suitable weathers 

 can the plants be kept in a robust and 

 vigorous condition. Frames that are fitted 

 with hot-water pipes are very suitable, for 

 although excessive warmth must be guarded 

 against, a little heat is useful in wet weather 

 to dispel moisture. It is important to keep 

 the atmosphere dry during the winter, or 

 the foliage and blooms will damp badly. 

 Excessive atmospheric moisture, together 

 with insufficient ventilation, are likely to 

 encourage attacks of Violet rust, an orange- 

 coloured fungus that attacks the leaves. 



Water must be sparingly given during the 

 winter months, since the soil dries very 

 slowly. When it shows signs of getting dry, 

 give sufficient water to moisten it thoroughly, 

 and always choose a bright, dry morning 

 for the operation, so that the atmosphere 

 will dry quickly. Later in the season liquid 

 manure or a little Clay's Fertilizer or guano 

 should be given, as this proves very stimu- 

 lating and helps to produce fine blooms when 

 the plants are getting past their best. Pick 

 off decaying or diseased leaves occasion- 

 ally, and endeavour to promote the condi- 

 tions described as likely to keep the Violets 

 robust and healthy. 



Violets in Pots. Violets are often well 

 grown in pots, and when this method of 

 cultivation is adopted 7 -inch pots are gener 

 ally used. Put crocks (pieces of broken 

 flower pot) in the bottom for drainage, and 

 use similar soil to that recommended for 

 plants in frames. Pot them in September, 

 make the soil moderately firm around the 

 roots, and grow them in a cool greenhouse 

 on a shelf near the glass in a temperature of 

 about 50. When the roots take posses- 

 sion of the soil, feed the plants with liquid 

 manure and soot water or an artificial fer- 

 tiliser. (Jiven such conditions, they produce 

 very fine flowers. 



The Best Varieties. The following 

 varieties are recommended for general cul- 

 tivation. Single : Princess of Wales, purple 

 blue ; Princess Beatrice, California, and 

 The Czar possess blooms of a similar shade 

 of colour, violet blue ; La France, violet 

 blue ; Admiral Avellan. reddish mauve ; 

 White Czar, white ; Sulphurea, primrose ; 

 I !(>-( Perle, pale rose. Double: Marie 

 Louise, pale mauve blue ; Lady Hume 

 Campbell, pale blue: Nea]K)litan, lavender 

 blue ; Mrs. J. J. Astor, pale rose ; Comte de 

 r.i.i//a. \\hite. The single varieties succeed 

 best out of doors. 



The Effect of Lime. Quicklime, gas- 

 lime or freshly slaked lime must never be 

 used in potting. The best forms to use for 

 this purpose are lime which has been exposed 

 to the air for a long time, old mortar or 

 plaster, and even ground sea shells in cases 

 where plants will be in the pots for a long 



period. Most plants have the power of 

 exuding sufficient acid from their roots to 

 <li--n|\e whatever lime i- iirn-^ary for their 

 health and growth. Care must \ye taken to 

 prevent actual contact of roots or stems 

 \\ith .my fre-h manurial substance, lime, or 

 fermenting material. 



