The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1898-05-24
The Cultivation of yiolcts,

Almost every woman is fon of vic.
lets, AMI is more than willing to part
with a goodly portion of her pocket
money to secure them. But very few
women know that their cultivation is
an exceedingly easy matter, recurring
but little in the way of time, strength
or appliances, OF course. one must
know just how to manage, but this
knowledge is easily acquired, and the
methods are not beyond the compre
hension of child of ten years.
The important item is glazed
frame, placed on slightly slopina
bauk, open to the south. West to
this, IN point of desirability, is q spot
on the south exposure of the wall of q
greenhouse. If the house is not too
much shaded, probably one of the
very best places is close against the
outside wall of the cellar, and if n
window of the cellar opens into the
frame, so much the better. Dig out
Mt least two feet of earth, set in four
strong posts, and brace them firmly,
two by tours are every way desirable.
Those against the house wall should
be Mt least twelve to fourteen inches
higher than those at the front. The
latter may be Mt level with the
ground if necessary, but in this case
the surface of the soil underneath the
glass must be foot below the sash.
Or course, the digging-out depends.
to an extent, on the location of the
frame. There must be sufficient depth
to give opportunity for deep rootage.
and the soil must be mellow and fairly
rich. The best sort of earth is made
from sand and decayed wood. or leaf
mold from the woods. This is the
natural soil for violets, and, while it
will bear enriching to n certain extent,
this foundation material will give the
best satisfaction.
The plants may be put out early in
the summer, and allowed to grow 70 n
FAR size. Then they are taken ND.
the runners are clipped off, leaving
what is called the crown, which is the
man root. These roots are placed in
the cold frame i'll September or Octo-
Der. They are carefully shaded at
first; indeed, the roots start better if
they are given just enough sun to keen
them in good health. Watch them
carefully and pick off all of the first
buds that appear. They are quite
likely to be imperfect and Struggling.
and take just so much of the life of the
plant without giving any satisfactory
return.
On the approach of cold weather
prepare pads or mats of straw and
canvas to cover the glass during tho
seyerest spells. If the window opens
INTO the cellar, there = little nroba-
DIZZY that frost will iniure the plants.
0"t it is much safer to spread tho
mats over them ut night, or during
heayy storms, and remove them in
mild weather and bright sunshine.
After few weeks perfect blooms will
come, and during the entire winter
one may be supplied with an abund-
ance OF these exquisite blossoms.
One woman, who handles tools like
carpenter, built for herself n small
conservatory on the south side of her
dwelling. There was an unused ont
side cellar door, nm arrangement made
when the main building of the house
was put up, and before the present
Kitchen was built on. Instead Of
tearing away and filling i'm this place
she had it dug ont on n level with tbe
cellar hoor, and built this little con
seryatory, which took i'm one of the
dinin9-room windows immediately
over 1T. In this little cosy nook she
grew violets, and kept over in perfect
health ani condition large assort-
nent OF the more hardy house plants.
" takes but little time md work 70
BALD n plant pit. This should ba
made nbont six feet deep. aud ns large
"a time. strength an I inclination nd
NIT. Six or eight feet sJuare is ne
small as Is profitable. Ten or twelve
rs much better; but, of course. If
costs more for roofing ami finishing
Shelves may be PIT around the sides.
and here may be grown not only vio-
lets aud other winter plants. but long
before cold frames are safe the early
vegetables may be started and every.
thing be made reo " for n successful
garden. Tho violet frame, however.
Is q much more simple affair. and
within the limit Of every woman's
ability View York Ledger.
Moscow Ruqsi, hoo , Lo,...t.,