MORE REMARKS ON THE CULTIVATION OF VIOLA 
TRICOLOR *. 
The ardour evinced in the growth of pansies, has induced us to offer a few 
remarks upon their culture, as practised by persons who grow them to perfection ; 
it is not to be wondered, that they now occupy so conspicuous a station in every 
good garden, but that such a gem to the flower garden, almost throughout the 
year, should have been neglected so long ; but such is the (we may say) enthusiasm 
now shown for them, that a periodical has commenced, published monthly, devoted 
entirely to Heartsease ; that is, describing the choicest named kinds now in culti- 
vation (we have not seen the work, but reviewers have spoken favourably of it). 
Pansies or Jlos tricolor are recommended for the flower garden, and to be grown in 
pots, in the oldest works on gardening we have perused ; but the kinds grown a 
very few years since in gardens, were not better than those occasionally found now 
growing under the plants of a shrubbery or in corn fields ; indeed we remember 
when the seeds of Viola tricolor were seldom or ever sown in the majority of 
gardens, or, if they were, a spot where little else would grow was the site chosen ; 
but the pleasure of seeing the then little neat flowers was very difi'erent from the 
emotions felt when viewing a bed of the now existing kinds, blazing in endless 
variety, dazzling the eye with their countless beauties, and delighting the senses 
with their grateful fragrance. Who can contemplate a bed of Heartsease, where in 
every individual something fresh and apparently more beautiful than the last 
observed, arrests the attention, without feeling what their name would imply, and 
forgetting for the time the troubles inherent to mankind ? 
Amateurs and gardeners who cultivate Heartsease for competition at flower 
shows, take considerable pains with them, such as giving them plenty of room, 
very rich soil &c.j but in gardens where general eff°ect only is required we would 
recommend beds sown with seeds from selected kinds, by which means a beautiful 
effect is obtained with little trouble, without the formality of rows so much to be 
avoided when masses are wished for ; if the weather is favourable, they wall flower 
in about six weeks from the time of sowing, with the anticipation every day 
of seeing something more new and beautiful than heretofore : we only suggest this 
to persons not in the habit of growing named kinds for competition, but merely for 
effect as a group, at the same time nothing is more simple than having masses of 
proved good kinds, as cuttings will strike almost at any season when they can be 
obtained by planting them under a northern aspect ; the cuttings chosen should 
not be the strongest shoots, but the moderate sized ones which have not flowered ; 
the season to propagate those intended for the principal flowering is the first week 
in July, the cuttings struck at this time will flower in autumn, and get strong plants 
* ^3ee Vol. 1. page 115. 
