V. B. WITTROCK, Dr. ODT.ADF. PF.XSl.KKX AS HISTORIA. 77 



be cultivated in our gardens. Another species that deserves recognition is Viola 

 latisepala Wettst., lately introduced into our gardens from the Balkan peninsula, 

 a perennial species which on being cultivated here has evidently thriven remark- 

 ably well. 



Next to obtaining perennial pansies, \ve must place the aim of producing 

 good varieties that come true from seed. In many places these attempts have 

 been crowned with tolerable succcss, more especially in respect to the Selfs; 

 but very much still remains to be done. 



No pains have been spared of late by the pansy cultivators of Grcat 

 Britain to increase the charm of the pansy by obtaining perfume as well as 

 beauty; but by a more extensive use of the odoriferous alpine species, Viola 

 cornuta L. and V. lutea Huds. var. grandiflora (L.), Vill. for hybridization, 

 doubtless much may still be done in this direction. 



Probably in direct opposition to most pansy-raisers, I consider it most 

 necessary to obtain a greater variety as regards the form of the corolla of 

 the pansy. For sixty years the pansy cultivatois have almost unanimously 

 endeavoured to make the corolla of the flower as circular as possible; and it is 

 undeniable that the corolla type obtained by these means and now reigning 

 almost supreme is beautiful, ay, very beautiful, but this fact does not prevent 

 other forms of the corolla from being as attractive to the eyé that has learnt 

 to admire those produets which Nature herself offers us. 



As in a wild state Viola tricolor L. produces Pelorias both with and devoid 

 of spurs, the raising of pansies of a similar strueture should not present insur- 

 mountable difficulties. A similar form has long been under eultivation from 

 V. odorata L. If, in addition to this, we remember the existing forms of the 

 double pansies which, by suitable eultivation, may doubtless be greatly improved, 

 it seems to me there is no little probability of our gardens being in time 

 adorned with pansies which give the impression of wealth and variety, not only 

 as regards colour, but also in respect to form. 



At all events it may in truth be said that — even if only remembering 

 what has already been done — the garden pansies plainly prove what human 

 intelligence, coupled with skilful perseverance, can perform in a department where 

 it is a question of giving pleasure to millions by caring for, improving, and 

 multiplying plastic forms of those lovely plants which Nature, even in the North, 

 so generously offers us. 



— £>M<^(<I1)8€M3— 



