I&2 PLANT CUI.TURE 



only when moderately dry. In August, or beginning of September, 

 the plants should get a shallow mulch of leaf soil mixed with dried 

 horse manure. All leaves which show the least signs of decay 

 should be removed and burned. 



During Summer, syringing should be attended to frequently, for 

 the purpose of ridding the plants of red spider, their greatest enemy. 

 For this purpose the water must be apphed with considerable force 

 to the lower surfaces of the leaves. The plants can, however, be 

 kept tolerably free of this pest if proper growing conditions are sup- 

 plied, as red spider is only found on plants which are enfeebled 

 through some cause. When syringing is to be done it should be at- 

 tended to in the early part of the day, and in bright weather, so 

 that ventilation may be relied upon to dry the foliage before night — 

 a most essential item. For ridding the plants of aphides, the use of 

 hydrocyanic acid gas is much preferable to tobacco in any of its 

 forms, as it leaves no objectionable odor. 



When leaf spot, the most dreaded of the fungoid diseases, ap- 

 pears, the leaves should immediately be picked off and burned, for 

 by being allowed to continue on the plant the fungus will ripen its 

 spores and spread to other leaves. It is present more or less in all 

 houses, and is only kept under control by supplying favorable con- 

 ditions for the growth of the plants. When grown outdoors or in 

 frames without protection the leaves are apt to suffer from too 

 much moisture in the shape of dew. This condition is very favorable 

 for the increase of spot. 



There are several other more or less hurtful fungoid diseases 

 which can only be guarded against by giving the plants proper 

 treatment, and their ravages curtailed by picking off and burning 

 the infected parts. Very weak liquid cow manure may be given 

 occasionally if the plants are in need of a stimulant. 



Propagation. The stock is increased by cuttings and division of 

 the old plants. From the nature of the species the method of build- 

 ing up a plant from the cutting, or runner, is the surest way of ob- 

 taining free-growing, healthy specimens. The plants send out 

 runners, and those intended for propagation should be allowed to 

 develop to a certain e.xtent. In the latter half of February, and during 

 March, they are taken off and either inserted in the sand bed of a 

 cool house or dibbled in boxes of sand and kept under conditions 

 favorable to rooting. Cool conditions are more essential for \'iolets 

 than for most other plants. When rooted they are put in 2-inch 

 pots. After the roots show on the outside of the ball they are given 



