Culture of the Neapolitan Violet. 213 



Any time in the month of May mark out a piece of ground 

 1 ft. wider on all sides than any frame or frames which are 

 likely to be unoccupied in the autumn and winter months. Dig 

 a trench round the piece one spit deep and one wide, merely to 

 keep the place dry on which the frame will have to stand. Let 

 the earth be thrown on the piece, and be neatly pointed down. 

 Plant with young plants, about eight inches apart each way, and 

 water them as soon as planted. If the weather is hot at the time 

 of planting, shading for a few days while the sun is on them will 

 be of service. A little water as occasion may require, and keep- 

 ing free from weeds, are all that will be necessary till October; 

 at which time the frame or frames may be placed over. Let it 

 be particularly observed that the situation should be as open as 

 possible, provided the sun will not shine into the frames during 

 the winter months. I do not like them stuck behind a north 

 wall, as such a place is usually damp ; but in most places such a 

 situation as I have described may be found. If not, and the 

 sun must shine upon them, let the lights be shaded when the sun 

 breaks out ; otherwise the plants will be excited, and will suffer 

 more from cold and damp afterwards than if they had never 

 been protected. Whenever there is no fear of rain, and it is not 

 frosty, let the lights be kept off; and if they are obliged to be on, 

 let them be tilted behind at all favourable opportunities, night 

 or day, as a dry atmosphere is of the highest importance. It 

 will be found that violets treated in this way will not lose their 

 foliage from damp, like those which have been potted ; and, being 

 exposed to the air, the foliage will not be drawn up so as to hide 

 the flowers. If, when the frames are put on, the soil is lightly 

 stirred, and decayed leaves and rubbish picked out, it rarely 

 occurs that it will be necessary to repeat it all the winter. I do 

 not recollect that mine have been picked over since the frame 

 was put on ; and I think that you will agree that this winter has 

 been damp enough to prove it. 



By observing the above rules, abundance of flowers will be 

 produced, and the plants may be potted a few at a time, choosing 

 those for early potting whose flowers are most forward, and taking 

 them into the greenhouse or elsewhere to open. If the plants 

 are strong, one plant in a 48-sized pot will do, or two may be placed 

 in a 32, as most convenient. I have sometimes planted a few 

 about the borders of a conservatory; and, if they are allowed to 

 open their flowers before they are taken from the frame, they 

 look pretty and scent the house. 



Middlesex, Feb. 16. 1842. 



p 3 



