TUFTED PANS1ES. 



157 



of making copious notes, and afforded facilities for observing how the newer 

 kinds compared with those of earlier origin. The Committee of Inspection 

 selected some thirty stocks to which they awarded marks equivalent in 

 value to a certificate of merit, and subsequently made selections, under 

 fourteen different headings, of varieties of a dwarf character that were 

 of tufted growth, and taller kinds for associating with other plants. 

 Comparatively few, however, will compare with those of more recent 

 introduction. 



There is little doubt that many of those who attended the Viola 

 Conferences went home determined to do something in the further 

 development of the tufted pansy. Sufficient had been illustrated, both at 

 the Conferences and the trial, to show that, although a great deal had 

 been done, much more remained to be achieved, and the future seemed full 

 of possibilities. It was during these three years of the Conferences that 

 flowers of the rayless kind first came into prominence, and on the last 

 occasion of meeting (1896) two rayless yellow varieties, of great promise, 

 were submitted to the body of experts, and each received a first-class 

 certificate. At that period rayless yellow pansies were almost unknown ; 

 there were two or three, however, and great store was set on these until 

 the advent of the two varieties which received certificates. On this 

 account the newer kinds were heartily welcomed. They both showed a 

 great advance on any yellow varieties previously introduced, and yet they 

 were so dissimilar. ' A. J. Rowberry,' a flower of oval form and rich orange- 

 yellow, was one, and ' Pembroke,' a bright yellow, almost circular, another. 

 Mainly through the crossing of these varieties we are in possession to-day 

 of a magnificent series of yellow flowers. Yet at one time there was quite 

 a dearth of really good yellow varieties, with or without rays. The fusion 

 of these kinds has, by a succession of effort, given us a progeny, the flowers 

 of which it would be difficult to determine the parentage. Although we 

 have many superb yellows at the present time, I am inclined to believe 

 that we shall not get a really satisfactory plant until the newer yellow 

 kinds are used for fertilising V. cornuta. Success of a permanent 

 character appears to be indissolubly associated with the free use of 

 V. cornuta as seed-bearer, and as there are now so many beautiful rayless 

 flowers w T ith which to make crosses, the task of the hybridiser should be a 

 much easier one than formerly. Other species of the Viola of which little 

 is known may, as opportunity offers, be experimented with, and there is 

 the possibility that by these means new hybrids may be brought into 

 existence, as in the case of the species to which so much prominence has 

 been given in these notes. Simple though the culture of the tufted pansy 

 may be, that it is better understood to-day cannot be denied, and this has 

 been an important factor in the more recent development of the plant. 

 Few growers who make a planting annually would think of using the 

 same quarters two or three years in succession, unless the soil be renewed 

 or a heavy dressing of good manure be given to the ground. Contrary to 

 the opinion universally held, the Viola is a deep-rooting subject. On one 

 occasion a plant was lifted from the open border and the greatest care 

 exercised in its removal. On being placed on a table it was ascertained 

 that the roots were running through the soil quite three feet from the 

 surface. Such a voracious feeder must necessarily draw upon the resources 



