52 THE BOOK OF THE WINTER GARDEN 



runners will not produce the material for good winter 

 violet crops. In early April select a partially shaded 

 position for the new violet bed. An E. border, 

 sheltered from fierce sunshine by a wall or hedge, is 

 suitable. Often an ideal place exists beneath orchard 

 trees. The hotter the site, the drier the soil, the 

 greater the necessity of shade. Dig the ground over, 

 adding old manure and leaf soil, unless the soil is rich 

 and friable. This done, lift the plants of the old bed, 

 and select the best pieces for replanting, which are the 

 strongest rooted runners of the previous autumn. Some 

 runners do nothing but run, they are valueless. Others 

 stop, and make a good crown 5 such are good, but if 

 absent or few, the old clumps must be pulled apart, and 

 single crowns chosen. Plant in the freshly made bed 

 9 inches apart both ways. It is a mistake to set them too 

 far apart, as this leaves the soil exposed and dried. 



Violets love a hot summer, but with it they want 

 moisture. Drought invites red spider. In dry weather 

 water twice a day. A spread or mulch of | inch of leaf 

 mould over the bed is beneficial. Cut off the runners as 

 they appear, except a few strong ones that will form fine 

 plants for next year's bed. 



Early in September prepare the plants for protection. 

 Shift carefully so as to retain a ball of soil around the 

 roots, and transfer to a frame sloping south, in which at 

 least 6 inches of soil has been placed overlaying 18 

 inches of leaves and stable litter. There is no neces- 

 sity for deep frames for violets. The leaves should be 

 6 inches from the glass. Cover the frames with lights, 

 and keep close for a week, raising the back of the sash 

 up about an inch. Shade during sunshine. When the 

 plants pick up, remove the lights every fine day and 

 replace at night. Frost must not be allowed in the 

 frame ; keep it out by covering the hghts with straw, 

 straw mats, Archangel mats, or boards, etc., in all cases 



