ON THE CULTURE AND FORCING OF VIOLETS. 
53 
the various operations of sowing, pruning, &c., should be at¬ 
tended to, as that will be entirely dependent on the ultimate 
object in view. If a continued succession of fruit is required, 
they must go on simultaneously and consecutively ; whilst if the 
object in view is more limited, the means employed to effect it 
may be abridged. To cut fruit about Christmas, it is advisable 
to secure an abundance of strength in the plants, which can 
only be done by securing maturity of growth during the early 
autumn months, and therefore the middle or end of August may 
be regarded as a desirable time to sow the seeds with that object 
in view. It should ever be borne in mind, that it is far more 
certain and easy to provide a fruit on Christmas day, when the 
plants are in a fruiting state a month earlier, than when it is 
attempted only to have the first fruit ready about that time. 
There are other advantages in commencing soon enough ; one 
of which is, that if the fruit, is ready a few days earlier than it 
is required for use, it can be kept; but, on the other hand, if it 
is a few days too late, the evil cannot be remedied. 
ON THE CULTURE AND FORCING OF VIOLETS. 
By Mr. D. Watt. 
Of these simple but beautiful flowers there are several varieties 
in cultivation, but none of them more beautiful than the 
Neapolitan, which is a double pale blue, and forms a pretty 
contrast with the double purple variety. 
The cultivation of it is very simple, and there is no difficulty 
in its propagation, as the side shoots will strike root freely if 
taken off in March and placed either in pots, in a cold frame, 
or on a border by a south wall, in a compost of leaf-mould, loam, 
and sand, well mixed together. I would prefei the lattei situ¬ 
ation, because in this way they are attended with less tiouble 
and with equal success. The cuttings ought to be planted four 
inches apart in the rows, and six inches between the rows, to 
give an opportunity of lifting them with balls of earth at then- 
roots. As far as my experience goes in the cultivation of these 
truly sweet-scented plants, I think a south aspect ought at all 
times to be chosen, where it can conveniently be afforded. 
The compost that I have found to be the most suitable for 
growing these plants, is a mixture of very sandy leaf-mould, 
