12 STIjc artoen's Storn. 



should be placed in the most sheltered and sun- 

 shiny position, and be thoroughly protected on 

 the sides with leaves or straw, and the sashes 

 covered with thick matting and boards to ex- 

 clude frost. So soon as the weather allows, in 

 spring or during the winter, air should be given 

 gradually during the day, recollecting that cold 

 currents of air should be guarded against. As the 

 weather becomes warm, and the plants require 

 it, they may be watered occasionally. Pinch- 

 ing back the runners will increase the bloom. 

 After blossoming, lift the plants, divide them 

 and place them in the open, as before. Dur- 

 ing extreme dry weather they will naturally be 

 much benefited by an occasional watering and 

 mulching. No one who cares for flowers will 

 grudge the little trouble and trifling cost of a 

 violet-bed which yields its wealth of blossom 

 when other out-of-door flowers are still buried 

 beneath the snow. I know of nothing that af- 

 fords so much satisfaction for so little pains. 

 Marie Louise is incomparably the most fragrant, 

 floriferous, and satisfactory variety for hot-bed 

 culture. 



From the adjoining hill-side at nightfall I 

 hear the weird nocturne of the small screech- 

 owl. A pair has always had its abode in the 

 covert, in company with the red squirrels that 



