EVERY WOMAN HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER. 41 



If the amateur florist desires to sow the seed from some especially rare 

 flowers, they should be carefully tied up, and no other flower be allowed 

 to go to seed on the same plant. 



The seed may be sown in spring, summer or autumn ; in the two 

 former seasons it can be planted in the open ground ; in the latter in 

 pots, so that the tender seedlings can be protected from the damp. 

 Pansies are hardy perennials, but will wither away if water settles on the 

 bed. They do not like either the wintry ice, or the excessive heat of 

 summer. 



Violets, Sweet Violets. 



These flowers cannot compare with their beauteous sisters the Pansies 

 in size or colorings ; they cannot boast such varied blotchings and 

 veinings, but they possess a higher attribute in their rarely delicious 

 odor their perfume is unsurpassed by that of any other flower. They 

 are always in demand, and are very easily raised. With slight protection 

 they will live in the coldest climate, and before the Snow-drop hangs 

 its pearly bell, they will be in full bloom. 



The Viola odorissima is the English variety most extensively culti- 

 vated. Several new varieties have been introduced ; among them the 

 double blue Neapolitan is the most popular. The King of Violets has 

 a very large flower, and is much cultivated for window gardens. The 

 Czar is a fine variety; and the Schoenbrun is a single variety, very sweet. 

 There are white varieties, that are also much used by florists, but the 

 blues are the greatest favorites. 



The Violet is the emblematic flower of the Bonapartes, as the Lily is 

 of the Bourbons. Dame Eumor tells us that Eugenie expressed her 

 willingness to accept the offer of becoming Louis Napoleon's wife by 

 dressing in an exquisite violet toilet violets in her hair, about her dress, 

 and a bouquet of them in her hand, which were perfectly significant to 

 the wooer. The great Napoleon selected it as his flower, through 

 Josephine's requesting it as a birthday gift. 



He cultivated them in large quantities in his garden at St. Helena, 

 and they were planted over the grave of Josephine , and when he was 

 buried, his coffin was covered with the flowers he loved so well. 



Louis Napoleon is said to have made himself acquainted with those 

 who were friendly to his interests, while carefully feeling his way to the 

 throne, by a cautious display of violets. Sweet violets ! 



