DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 389 
been known to measure two and one-half inches in length, 
and two inches across the upper petals; the colors, vari- 
egation and penciling, are then more uniform and regular 
than they are in the summer season. Flowers, having 
only one color, are called selfs; these are not so common 
as the varieties in which two, three, or more colors are 
combined and distinctly marked in the same flower. The 
first fine imported variety of Viola grandiflora which I 
beheld, was a self; color a deep-purple, with a very small 
yellow eye, and soon after a plain white or cream-colored 
variety. This was about 40 years since, probably among 
the first of the kind imported from England. I obtained 
very small plants of each sort from my old friend Wm. E. 
Carter, from the Cambridge Botanic Garden, and consid- 
ered myself rich. They like a cool moist situation in the 
garden, particularly in hot summers, and ought, therefore, 
to be planted, not on raised beds, but in such as are upon 
a level with the alleys. They produce seed freely, which 
may be sowed early in spring, in cold frames to forward ; 
and where the young plants are sheltered from the cold 
wind and storms, until the weather gets settled, when they 
may be planted in the open ground. Seed collected dur- 
ing the summer months, may be sown early in September. 
The plants will then have sufficient time to be firmly 
rooted before winter, and not be liable to be cast out by 
frost, nor to damp off. The seed should be sown in a 
shady situation, upon a bed of light finely sifted soil. 
After sowing the seed, sift a little mould over, so as to 
cover it and no more; then gently press the surface with 
a flat board, to bring the seed and soil together, by which 
means they will more certainly vegetate. The plants 
will generally appear in a week or ten days. When an 
inch high, transplant to where they are to flower, four 
or five inches apart. Choose an open sheltered, situation. 
The plants will flower the following spring. 
