VIOLETS. 
229 
the latter mode is of course only suitable when merely the flowers 
are required for bouquets. The soil for those placed in pots 
should be leaf-mould and loam in equal quantities, with sufficient 
sand to keep the mass porous, the object in making the mixture 
so strong is to prevent the necessity of frequent watering. 
Violets require to be constantly moist, but few plants are more 
impatient of frequent applications, a soil so open as to require 
much water necessarily dries fast, and these fluctuations it is which 
causes the mischief; the addition of so much loam, however, 
preserves the requisite humidity in the soil without incurring 
any risk of an opposite character. For those placed in the 
frame, a lighter kind of soil is necessary, because from its greater 
bulk, and the comparative absence of drying influence, there 
would exist a great probability of the loam acting injuriously if 
used in so large a proportion. The usual course adopted is to 
make up a bed of fresh leaves, or thoroughly wrought dung, of 
sufficient depth to ensure a continuous gentle bottom heat of 
about 55° or 60°, on which about nine inches of leaf-mould is 
spread and levelled within the frame, and the plants are stationed 
at a foot apart; this may be done any time till the middle of 
October, but the sooner the better, as then tliey have the best 
chance of becoming re-established before the winter sets in. 
Air must be admitted on every favorable occasion to a moderate 
extent, and in fine weather they will be benefited by a slight 
sprinkling of water ; the blooms will begin to expand as soon as 
the plants recommence growing, and will continue while they 
remain healthy. Those in pots should, if possible, be assisted 
in a frame also till they come fairly into flower, especially if they 
have been removed late in the season, as they will recover them¬ 
selves much quicker in the closer atmosphere of such a place 
than if at once taken in doors, but as soon as they become worthy 
the place they would occupy, it will of course be desirable to 
have them where most enjoyable ; all the varieties bear the con¬ 
finement and atmosphere of a room tolerably well, continuing in 
beauty for many weeks, but they must be carefully and regularly 
supplied with water while so situated, and their foliage kept 
quite clear of dust or other accumulations. 
Hortulanus. 
