The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-05-05
The Cultivation of yioIets.


Almost every woman is fond of vio-
lets, and 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, requiring
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 a slightly sloping
bank, open to the south. West to
this, in point of desirability, is spot
on the south exposure of the wall of a
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 a
window of the cellar opens into the
frame, so much the better. Dig out
at least two feet of earth, set in four
strong posts, and brace them firmly;
two by fours are every way desirable.
Those against the house wall should
be at least twelve to fourteen inches
higher than those at the front. The
latter may be at a level with the
ground if necessary, but in this case
the surface of the soil underneath the
glass must be foot below the sash.
Of course, the digging-out depends,
to IN 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 a certain extent,
this foundation material will give the
best satisfaction.
The plants may be put out early in
the summer, and allowed to grow to
fair size. Then they are taken up,
the runners are clipped of, leaving
what is called the crown, which is the
main root These roots are placed in
the cold frame in September or Octo-
Der. They are carefully shaded at
first; indeed, the roots start better if
they are given just enough sun to keep
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 the
severest spells. If the window opens
into the cellar, there is little proba-
bility that frost will injure the plants;
but it is much safer to spread the
mats over them at night, or during
heavy 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 small
conservatory on the south side of her
dwelling. There was an unused out
side cellar door, an 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 in this place,
she had it dug out on level with the
cellar floor, and built this little con-
servatory, which took in one of the
dining-room windows Immediately
over it. In this little cosy nook she
grew violets, and kept over in perfect
health and condition large assort-
ment of the more hardy house plants.
1t takes but little time and work to
build a plant pit. This should be
made about six feet deep. and as large
as time. strength and inclination ad-
NIT. Six or eight feet square is as
small as is profitable. Ten or twelve
is much better; but, of course. it
costs more for roofing and finishing.
Shelves may be put around the sides,
and here may be grown not only vio-
lets and other winter plants, but long
before cold frames are safe the early
vegetables may be started and every
thing be made ready for successful
garden. The violet frame, however,
is a much more simple affair, and
within the limit of every woman's
ability.-New York Ledger.
On lrlr- G tho aarth is farfhar auau