86 



Gardening for Amateurs 



When grown in thousands they may be in- 

 serted on a sheltered west border out of 

 doors, but the use of a cold frame is by far 

 the best, and to be recommended to ama- 

 teurs. Make up a bed of soil in the frame, 

 using equal parts loam, leaf-mould, and 

 coarse sand. The best cuttings are formed 

 from the young growths that push up in 

 the centre of the plants towards the end of 

 the summer. If carefully pulled off, the 

 majority of the cuttings will come away 

 from the parent plant with a few roots 



out the winter. Remove all flower buds until 

 the plants are well established in their per- 

 manent quarters. 



A profusion of blossom is obtained in 

 spring and early summer if the old plants 

 are divided in autumn ; these give by far 

 the gayest show in April and May. Each 

 root or tuft may be divided into three or 

 four pieces about September, these being 

 planted in the beds or borders where they 

 are to flower. 



How to Grow Them. Tufted Pansies, 



A border edged with Viola or Tufted Pansy. 



attached. Dibble these in the soil 3 inches 

 apart, press firmly, and water before they 

 have time to droop. Syringe the cuttings 

 lightly morning and evening, shading from 

 bright sunlight. In from ten days to a fort- 

 night they will be rooted sufficiently to allow 

 a little air to be admitted to the frame, 

 the amount being increased gradually. The 

 earlier-rooted cuttings might be transferred 

 to their flowering quarters in October, but 

 it is much better to leave them in the frame 

 until March, always, of course, remembering 

 that the Viola is a hardy plant, and admitting 

 air freely on all favourable occasions through - 



or Violas, will grow in most soils. Those that 

 are heavy may be improved by mixing in 

 some leaf-mould, Avood ashes, and road 

 scrapings. Cow-manure and chopped turf 

 will improve very light soil. When choosing 

 positions for Tufted Pansies, avoid as far 

 as possible those that are hot and dry. The 

 plants delight in cool and moist conditions 

 this being the reason why Tufted Pansies 

 thrive so well in the North of England and 

 Scotland. Autumn planting may be prac- 

 tised with good results in light soils and 

 country districts, but the shelter of a frame 

 is desirable in gardens not very favourably 





