68 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



smooth. The colour should be well denned in the selfs, and in blotched and belted 

 flowers it must be harmonious. 



The stems ought to be stout and erect, and of such a length as to bring the flowers 

 well together. The habit (an important consideration in this flower) should be dwarf 

 and procumbent, short-jointed, and bushy or " tufted." 



The "ray less " varieties must have no central ray or marking, and the " miniature " 

 or " Violetta " type should not be more than If inches nor less than 1 inch across. 



Growers vary considerably in their methods, but that which follows has been 

 proved by the writer to be as good as any. It is based upon the directions of a 

 successful cultivator for exhibition. 



A suitable soil for pansies and violas is a good, fresh, turfy loam of medium texture ; 



Prepare the bed in autumn and fork it over occasionally afterwards. 



Pansies may be planted during mild weather, from the middle of March, so that the 

 roots may penetrate deeply before the setting in of hot weather. Before planting fork 

 over, rake, and level the beds, marking them into squares of about 12 inches with a 

 piece of board pressed across the bed. The intersection of the lines shows where to 

 put in the plants. If these are in frames lift- them with a hand-fork, leaving as much 

 earth about them as possible. The pansies may be planted in holes dug to receive them 

 about G inches deep. Into these place a little compost of loam and decayed manure or 

 leaf-mould ; place the plant in the centre and fill up the hole with the same compost, 

 making the plants firm. If there is any suspicion of insects when planting, Mr. 

 Simkin's plan of dipping in soft soap and tobacco water (Fig. 34) is an excellent 

 one, and equally applicable to other kinds of plants. 



After planting give the soil a good watering. Keep the surface of the beds between 



Fig. 34. Dipping Plants. 



but as this is not always obtainable it is as well to 

 know that it is not absolutely necessary. Heavy, 

 damp soil may be made suitable by trenching the 

 earth two spades deep, mixing, as the work proceeds, 

 lime rubbish, ^-inch. or J-inch bones, well-decayed 

 manure, and wood ashes. A dressing of soot is also 

 beneficial, forking it over afterwards. Light soil can 

 be improved by mixing with it old cow-manure, 

 bone-meal, soot, and turfy loam, the bed being 

 trenched to the same depth as in the case of heavy soil. 



