__ It has become a hobby with many of us and if you have success 
with your first plant—you will want more and then you have many 
interesting years ahead of you as new varieties are springing up 
continually and the array of colors we have now are just beautiful. 
Hybridizers say in time we may have a scarlet bloom but no 
yellow. However, do not give up hope—some Horticulturist will 
solve that problem and then—-a window-white, blush, yellow, pink, 
rose, Alice Blue, dark blue, orchid and all the range of purples, 
until red is reached, will surely be the fulfillment of the Violet 
Fancier’s dream. 
These questions are among the first inquiries. (1) What win- 
dow exposure? (2) How and when shall I water my plant? (3) Tem- 
perature? (4) When to transplant and how raise new plants? (5) 
Soil? (6) What kind of Container? (7) Shall I turn the plant in 
the window? 
History tells us that the Saintpaulia Ionantha is a tropical, 
African wild flower, that grows in the shade, in soil containing 
considerable vegetable matter. It also grows in the crevices of lime 
Stone and granite rocks. That teaches us four important facts. That 
the little tropical wild flower that we love so dearly needs warmth, 
shade, rich porous soil and moisture. It also proves that this is a 
hardy and easily raised plant, and the very best indoor bloomer we 
have up to the present time, when we stop to think of the change 
it must pass through from tropical wild life to the homes of the 
indoor gardeners in the temperate zone. 
(1) Window location is the most important point to learn. All 
the care you give your violet will be of no avail if the location ‘is 
wrong and that location you must discover for yourself in your 
home. Many a plant has been purchased to adorn the living room, 
dining room or dinette and winds up in the kitchen, pantry or bed- 
room window. The window you use, should be free from a direct 
draft, light, warm and no hot sun. A good north window is ideal 
if it meets the other two requirements. If you are obliged to use an 
eastern, southern or western window, keep the blinds down until 
sun has passed or else there should be protecting shrubbery or trees 
to shade the window. If your plant does not thrive in one window 
try another. Lucky indeed is the new violet owner if her plant 
thrives in the window she purchased it for. 
(2) Watering—Immerse the container having a drainage hole 
in the bottom in several inches of tepid water. Remove from water 
as soon as moisture appears on the surface of the soil Remember, 
plants that grow in rock crevices are never water-logged. The por- 
ous soil soaks up the water rapidly in a well planted violet. 
Use the finger tip method to learn when the plant is thirsty. 
Press finger tip into soil about one half inch at edge of pot. If you 
feel no moisture—water. Always rough earth again as it should be 
loose on top of the pot. Weather conditions contribute largely in 
drying out soil. A plant in a 3” glazed container will remain moist 
enough for about a week. 
