THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION.— Juke 21, 1650. 
220 
CULTURE OF VIOLETS. 
It is possible, certainly, to have too many Violets; but 
where is this the, case, at least in winter ? and where is the 
lady or gentleman that does not admire them ? Then why 
should not those who have the means have enough and to 
spare, when they are so easily come-at-able in every garden 
worth the name ? As this is the season to prepare for them, 
allow me to tell your readers a system I have practised with 
success. 
Choose the best-sheltered spot from the north that you 
can spare, where they will have their share of sunshine, 
both in summer and winter. Raise a bank or banks similar 
to that shown in the above sketch, of any rubbish of a loose 
texture, formed into steps with stones or bricks on edge, or, 
what is better, the refuse clinkers from the furnaces or 
brick-kilns, or you may drive in a few short stakes. In fact, 
use anything handy that will keep the earth up, and allow 
these steps to be one foot in width, and nine inches in 
depth. This will allow three inches of lime rubbish or 
burnt earth, and leave six inches for chopped turf, and 
about one-fourth of leaf-mould, or, if the latter is not to be 
had, use manure with a portion of sand. When planting, 
keep the plants four inches apart betwixt the rows, and six 
inches in the row, which will allow three rows on each step. 
In selecting the plants I should be quite as particular in 
looking out strong, healthy, single shoots, as I should in 
selecting plants of Strawberries for forcing ; nor do I allow 
an offshoot to grow from them, any more than I would 
allow the suckers of a wild Rose to overpower that of a 
favourite one that was worked upon it. After planting and 
watering, the Violets will be the better from a slight shading 
of branches for a few days. If the above is practised, and 
ordinary care taken with them in attending to watering in 
dry weather, they will get nice plants by the end of August, 
when, if the weather is wet, some means, such as oil-papered 
frames, must be used to keep them rather dry than other¬ 
wise, as this is the time to form their flower-buds. If this 
is attended to until the end of September, you will have a 
fine lot of buds at your command, and, as then will be the 
time to cover them at nights w r ith glass, at least those you 
want for early work, you will be able, under ordinary circum¬ 
stances, to rule their movements as you like. 
Those who want large supplies in December and January 
must not depend on November and December to get them. 
I need not tell those conversant with Violet culture, that if 
the flowers are kept dry they will remain a long time in 
good order on the plant. Therefore, be in time. Also, if 
you require to portion them out, I would advise you to keep 
them under the straw for a month, rather than let the young 
ladies get sight of them. If they do, it’s all up with Mr. 
Gardener’s supply. They are troublesome pets, not pests, 
of course, at Christmas amongst the Violets ; but, as I said 
above, why not have enough for them too? 
The best varieties I have found for the purpose are the 
Neapolitan for early work, and the Late Doable Russian for 
late supply. The Single Russian ought always to be grown 
where large supplies must be had. 
Allow me to say, in conclusion, that Violets make a fine 
ground outline for a large bed of Lobelia fulgens, and the 
large crimson varieties. In 1831, 1 had a large oval bed of 
Neapolit an Violets and Lobelia fulgens, with a strong edging 
of the then much-to-be-admired Verbena Melindres, about 
one foot in height, with a good, bold handle, covered with 
Mauraudya Barclayana. As a whole, it really formed a 
good apology for the then ridiculous fancy of having 
handles to their clumps. Replace the Verbenas with a nice 
dwarf variegated Geranium, and do away with the handle, 
Mr. Beaton, and you have a clump that would not disgrace 
Kew, or the grounds of the Crystal Palace. 
The above sketch of a glazed bank for growing Violets 
will be equally useful for wintering Verbenas, Calceolarias, 
&c. Also, for forcing Strawberries and Kidney Beans, to 
come in between those grown in pots and the out-door fruit. 
It would be useful for other things too numerous to mention, 
—D. Ferguson, Stowe, Buckingham. 
NOTES FROM PARIS. ' 
Within a few hours after reading Mr. Beaton’s notice of 
the Waltonian Propagating Case, in your number for March 
lltli, I had occasion to pass the shop of M.Follet, Rue de la 
Banque, and my attention was immediately arrested by 
seeing in the window a contrivance having considerable 
affinity in principle, at least, to that I had just been reading 
about. M. Follet keeps an extensive and rich collection of 
pottery, such as ornamental vases, hanging baskets, and, 
indeed, everything else that can be used of such material 
for conservatories, saloons, or gardens. With the exception, 
therefore, of the hand-light and lamp, his propagating appa- 
