152 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



blue in varying tones of pale lavender-blue and heliotrope-blue to the 

 deepest and richest imperial blue ; several shades of purple, and numerous 

 intermediate tones of colour, such as blush, lilac, lavender, rosy lilac, and 

 others somewhat difficult to describe. Quite a host of prettily margined 

 flowers are also in evidence. In some instances the margin resembles a 

 picotee edging, while in others it is broad and irregular. The fancy type 

 of flower, of which the well-known variety ' Countess of Kintore ' may be 

 regarded as a typical representative, shows considerable development. 

 Newer varieties are much improved, form and finish of flower showing 

 marked improvement, and the colours are pleasingly varied. Some of the 

 darker markings give the blossoms quite a rich, velvety appearance, and 

 the flowers possess plenty of substance. 



Until eighteen years ago, flowers of all types of the Viola were always 

 rayed or pencilled, these lines radiating from the centre of the blooms ; 

 and, when neatly represented, added to their attractiveness. In many 

 cases, however, the rays are so heavy and coarse that they detract very 

 considerably from the beauty of the flower. With the advent of the ray- 

 less type of the tufted pansy the whole aspect of things changed, and for 

 the better too. To the persistent efforts and painstaking work of the late 

 Dr. Chas. Stuart, M.D., Chirnside, Berwickshire, we are indebted for this 

 delightful improvement. He has told us that he fertilised Viola cornuta 

 of the Pyrenees with the pollen of a garden pansy named ' Blue King,' 

 and ripened a pod containing twelve seeds, which were at once sown ; 

 this was done in 1874. 'The resulting seedlings were a complete revela- 

 tion. Each flower was identical in character, having the long spur or 

 horn as seen in the under petal of V. cornuta. Still persisting in his 

 efforts, Dr. Stuart made other crosses, some of which were failures. The 

 seedlings above referred to were then crossed with various coloured 

 pansies, the results being flowers showing every other colour except 

 yellow. In this way, the beautifully tufted habit so much to be desired 

 was perpetuated ; and all the blooms were possessed of the horn or keel 

 of V. cornuta. Afraid lest these crosses should become too similar to the 

 pansy, Dr. Stuart took pollen from the original cornuta hybrids and 

 fertilised some blooms of those above described. These seedlings had 

 flowers three times larger than cornuta and were of various colours, 

 tufted in habit, and free-blooming. A trial of Violas at Chiswick at 

 that time having been arranged. Dr. Stuart sent plants of his latest 

 efforts for comparison with others. The results were remarkable, the 

 Committee awarding him no less than six first-class certificates. It was 

 not until 1887, however, that the rayless flower he had so long hoped to 

 produce was forthcoming. Keeping a sharp look-out on his seedling beds, 

 he, in 1887, observed a whole flower entirely rayless and with a most 

 pronounced almond-like perfume. There appears to be some uncertainty 

 as to the parentage of this variety, as Dr. Stuart, in writing to a friend, 

 referred to it as a "chance seedling." The plant was named 'Violetta' 

 and represents quite a distinct type of plant. The flowers are small, 

 and for this reason the progeny are described either as " Violettas " or 

 1 Miniatures.' 



For a few years Dr. Stuart and other raisers were busy in their 

 efforts to increase the number of these beautiful flowers. Newer kinds of 



