SWEET VIOLETS 137 



is less fear of the foliage suffering from damp or mildew. 

 The Violet is hardy, and resents fire heat ; protection from 

 damp and severe frost is all that is needed ; and when severe 

 weather is anticipated, pack leaves, bracken, straw, or stable 

 litter round the sides of the frame, and cover the lights with 

 double mats to keep out frost, and the plants are more likely 

 to succeed in such quarters than in heated brick pits. 



The plants should be exposed fully whenever the weather 

 permits. Even in wet weather tilt the lights well at the back, 

 harsh winds, frost, and heavy rains being guarded against, 

 and ventilation afforded accordingly. These are the simple 

 lines upon which to work, and by getting the plants placed 

 in the frames the first or second week in September, flowers 

 may be expected in October, and by having several varieties 

 a succession of bloom is maintained until the end of April. 



The best Varieties for the open are undoubtedly the single 

 ones, though the double Marie Louise and Lady Hume Camp- 

 bell might be included in the collection. Among the single 

 varieties mention must be made of one very beautiful single 

 violet, it is undoubtedly the best, viz. Princess of Wales. It 

 grows very strongly, and should be allowed plenty of space 

 for the large leaves to develop. The flowers are also very 

 large and borne on long stems ; when cut they can be used 

 with greater taste than is generally seen in the arrangement 

 of cut Violets. Victoria Regina is an old favourite, and with 

 the blue La France one need not seek further in forming a 

 collection. With the doubles, many amateurs call all these 

 the Neapolitan, but the true variety has pale lavender-coloured 

 blooms with a white centre. They are very fragrant and 

 pleasing, and appear freely in frames during the winter, 

 but they have rather short stems. We rely chiefly on Marie 

 Louise, rich lavender mauve blue, with a white eye, a general 

 favourite, which flowers continuously until spring. Then there 

 is that beautiful late variety, Lady Hume Campbell, which 

 makes a good succession, and so prolongs the season of Sweet 

 Violets, not perhaps to the extent many would wish, but 

 certainly over a period that it is possible to induce the plant 

 to bring forth those deliciously scented flowers of which we 

 never tire. Comte de Brazza is a double white variety that 

 is much appreciated, but it is not easy to cultivate. 



