Violets—Plant the runners or off-sets in May in loam and leaf-mould, choosing a damp, shady situation Russian and Neapolitan Violets may be made to flower throughout the winter and early spring by placing them in a stove or warm pit Dog-toothed Violets will grow in any light soil Autumn is the best time to plant them, and 1 in of silver sand round the roots prevents decay; they are hardy and early, but will not bloom unless planted 9 in deep White Violets like a chalky soil One of the best manures for Violets is the ash from bonfires They may be multiplied to any extent by pegging down the side-shoots in April The common Violet flowers in March and April Height, 6 in.

Pears—Wherever Apples are a success Pears will grow As a rule, they are best grown dwarf On light soils they should be grafted on to Pear stocks, but on heavy soils they are best worked on the Quince The fruiting of young trees may be accelerated by lifting them when about five years old, spreading out the roots 1 ft below the surface of the soil, and mulching the ground The mulching should be raked off in the spring, the ground lightly stirred with a fork and left to sweeten, and another mulching applied when the weather becomes hot and dry In pruning, leave the leading branches untouched, but let all cross shoots be removed, and the young wood be cut away in sufficient quantity to produce a well-balanced tree, and so equalise the flow of sap Some of the pruning may be done in summer, but directly the leaves fall is the time to perform the main work A good syringing once a week with the garden hose will keep the trees vigorous and free from insects Should scab make its appearance on the leaves, spray them oc.

Linum (Flax)—This succeeds best in rich, light mould The Linum Flavum, or Golden Flax, is very suitable for pot culture; it grows 9 in in height, and bears brilliant yellow flowers It requires the same treatment as other half-hardy perennials The Scarlet Flax is an annual, very free-flowering, and unsurpassed for brilliancy; easily raised from seed sown in spring Height, 1½ ft The hardy, shrubby kinds may be increased by cuttings placed under glass A mixture of loam and peat makes a fine soil for the greenhouse and frame varieties They flower from March to July.

Winter Aconite (Eranthis Hyemalis)—This is one of the very first of flowers to bloom, being in advance of the Snowdrop In the bleakest days of winter this little flower covers the ground with its gilt spangles Plant in early autumn Any soil or situation suits it, but it does best in a light mould and a moist, shady position, or under trees Most effective when planted in masses The tubers may remain permanently in the ground, or they may be lifted and divided in summer, as soon as the foliage dies down Flowers are produced from December to February.


Adonis Flos—Showy crimson summer flowers, requiring only the simplest treatment of hardy annuals Sow in March or April in the open border Height, 1 ft.

<RSS-FEED>