51- 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
thoroughly decayed cow-dung, and loam, in equal proportions, 
well mixed together. I would by no means recommend planting 
them in nooks, and corners, and shaded places, although I have 
seen it oftentimes recommended by practical men ; and although 
I am well aware that violets will grow and flower in almost any 
situation and in any soil, yet the flowers have neither colour, 
scent, nor size, when compared with those grown in open 
aspects. As soon as the cuttings are properly rooted, which 
will be about the end of April or the beginning of May, they 
ought to be carefully lifted, and planted in beds about nine 
inches apart in the rows, and twelve inches between the 
rows ; after planting, a good watering is requisite, to settle 
the mould about the roots of the plants, and a temporary 
shading for a few days might be necessary, removing it gra¬ 
dually as the plants get established. Particular attention must 
be paid to the watering of these plants, for if they are allowed 
to suffer for want of moisture, it will, in all probability, throw 
their flowering season considerably later. I have invariably 
found them to be very much benefited by an occasional water¬ 
ing with well-decayed sheep’s-manure water, until they com¬ 
mence flowering, when it must be withdrawn, or otherwise it 
will destroy the perfume of the flowers. Under this treatment I 
have had abundance of flowers by the second week in Sep¬ 
tember, which continued until the first succession of forced 
plants came into flower. 
Forcing . — In forcing the violet, it is the opinion of some 
gardeners, that bottom-heat is required during the time this 
operation is in progress : or otherwise removing them in suc¬ 
cession to a forcing-house, where they are subjected to a heat 
of between 50° and 60°, during the night, and to about 20° 
higher during the day : they will flower under this treatment, 
but what are their flowers?—they have neither colour, nor size, 
nor do the plants produce half the quantity that they would do, 
if they were in a much lower temperature. In establishments 
where violets are much admired, and often required, which will 
generally be found to be the case where there are young ladies, 
I would recommend a frame to be placed in a situation where it 
would have the greatest degree of benefit from the sun during 
the short dull days of winter: the same compost may be 
used that I have recommended for their general cultivation ; 
to ensure a free drainage, a quantity of rough material may be 
placed in the bottom of the frame; then the frame can be filled 
