VIOLETS. 
227 
VIOLETS. 
It is a matter of regret that these interesting, fragrant, and 
popular flowers are not more generally seen in small greenhouses 
and ornamenting the sitting-room, even where the former conve¬ 
nience is not at hand. 
They entail but little trouble, are readily increased, and occupy 
but little room; while, under judicious management, they may 
be had in bloom throughout the winter and spring months. 
There are now several varieties to be found in gardens; the most 
esteemed being generally abundant where such things are valued 
as they should be; but to form a complete collection of even the 
scented kinds, would entail a considerable deal of painstaking, 
untiring search ; the following, however, are easily procurable, 
and would afford variety in colour and habit, along with the most 
delicious fragrance. 
The best, because the most copious bloomer, is undoubtedly 
the tree violet, also known as the Chinese and Perpetual. It is 
dark blue or purple, very double, of compact neat habit, and a 
profuse flowerer from September to May; quite hardy, and forces 
well, therefore suitable alike for pots or the borders; it may be 
trained erect, so as to present a stem of six or eight inches, 
crowned with foliage and flowers, and from these circumstances 
it has been called the tree violet, though little importance attaches 
to the feature, as it is one all the varieties of odorata may be 
made to assume. 
The double Russian violet resembles the preceding in colour, 
but is a stronger grower, forming long weak footstalks to the 
leaves, which give to the plant a weak straggling appearance; 
the flowers, also, have less fragrance, and therefore it can only be 
recommended for the borders ; planted in rich loam it forms a 
large tuft, and flowers freely at an early season, continuing for 
several weeks later in summer than any other kind, and is much 
grown by those who cultivate these flowers for sale, as its blossoms 
will mix with those of the tree violet, and the scent of the latter 
is sufficient for the bunch. 
The double blue Neapolitan is an excellent variety for forcing; 
its habit is intermediate of the two mentioned, the flowers are 
