WAKE ROBIN FARM 
brum. The flowers are purple or violet, never blue, as 
the name denotes, and they bloom progressively up the 
stems from July to September. Vervain has been sacred 
to Druids, Romans and other peoples, ancient and 
modern, as fetish or talisman, to invoke blessing and 
avert disaster. The English name, “Simpler’s Joy,” 
grew out of the ready sale at good price of Vervain 
by venders of medicinal “simples” or herbs. Decora- 
tive, the plant is easily established, requires little at- 
tention, and grows in full sun or partial shade, over 
a wide range of climate. 35c each; $3.50 for 12. 
Violet, Blue (Viola papilionacea). This is the violet every- 
one knows. It typifies violets of every kind. It unites 
the main qualities of the Violet Family. It has unsur- 
passed beauty. It is found in unlimited quantity. It 
permits unrestricted plucking. It has unrivalled scent. 
It is unknown almost nowhere. It has an intricate 
mechanism for cross-pollination in the blossoms, and 
self-fertilizing buds at the base of the stem. It yields 
perfume; has been cooked and eaten; and has been 
recommended as a remedy for skin diseases (e. g., 
eczema). The blossoms are often more abundant than 
the leaves, and are truly violet in color, verging into 
purple hues. Leaves are deep green and heart-shaped. 
Spreads lustily in clumps and masses, 3 to 6 inches 
high, in shade or sun, in groves, orchards and moist 
meadows. It grows lushly around dwellings, as if re- 
sponding to the widespread human appreciation. Emb- 
lem of the Bonapartes, favorite of Mohammed, the 
popularity of the Blue Violet is ancient and general. 
30c each; $3.00 for 12. 
Violet, Dog (Viola conspersa). Chunky little plant, form- 
ing a compact bouquet of heart-shaped leaves, with an 
abundance of pale blue flowers. The flowers, too, are 
little, rising just above the leaves, to heights of three 
—and even five—inches. Chooses rather shady woods, 
and flowers in April and May. 30c each; $3.00 for 12. 
Violet, Downy Yellow (Viola pubescens). The underside 
of the leaf is the downy feature to which both English 
and Latin names refer. The plant is rather tall and 
sparse, from 6 to 12 inches high. The flowers are light 
golden yellow, and bloom singly on thin stems from 
the forks of paired leaf stalks. They bloom in April 
and May. This violet is found in rich woods, dense 
thickets, under maples, and along old stone walls and 
roadsides. It tolerates dry places in shade. 35c¢ each; 
$3.50 for 12. 
Violet, Smooth Yellow (Viola scabriuscula). Bright 
golden flowers, briefly resembling the Downy Yellow, 
but with stems and leaves distinctively smooth. The 
whole rangey plant, of several stems, will be some 
4 to 7 inches high. A rather early bloomer, fond of 
moisture, woods and thickets, but tolerates at need 
both dry and heavy soil. 30c each; $3.00 for 12. 
18 

