MACMILLAN LIBRARY STORAGE ITEM LP1-B12C UBC LIBRARIES K M: THE VIOLET BOOK THE VIOLET BOOK BY A. and a ALLEN-BROWN COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS :\\ > BY IRENE M. JOHNS > » > J 1 Taunton : BARNICOTT & PEARCE THE WESSEX PRESS MCMXXn • ' . • ' • • » - • • * « ' • • • 'I* ' I - • . - t TO OTJR NEIGHBOUR MISS ELIZABETH ROBINS OF BACKSET FARM HENFEELD SUSSEX PREFACE. The Rose is the Queen of the English garden by Right Divine and by general acclamation. Other favourites stand near her throne. The clear-smiling carnation, the pure lily of the valley, the fairy-like, but ambitious sweet- pea, who casts an eye upon the very crown itself, and the violet ; the violet who, like King Cophetua's beggar maid, wears her honours with a sweet remembrance of her lowly past. Her message is one of gentleness and love. She makes no display in courtly function, not for her the gay decoration of the ball-room, nor the glowing light of the feast. But who so welcome to the bed of the sick, to the hand of the convalescent, or on the desk of the writer ? Who so at one with the mourner as he places his last tribute on the grave of the beloved ? Let us honour the gentle flower which blossoms and breathes sweet odours for eight months out of the twelve. CONTENTS. PAGE Preface. The Early Days of the Violet General Conditions for Violet Growing .... Violet Culture List of Violets Hints on Packing . Seed Sowing .... Injurious Insects and Diseases Early Beginnings . Experiences .... Continuation of Experiences . 9 19 33 39 42 49 63 68 81 ERRATA. On page 4 for " Dudome " read " Dodome." On page 8 for " Trejus " read " Frejus." On page 34 for " Raddenburg " read " Raddenbury." On page 36 /or "Neolie" read "Noelie." On page 37 for " Sulphuria " read *' Sulphurea." LIST OF COLOUR PLATES. Princess of VVat.es to face page 3 TiA France 12 Baroness de Rothschm.^~ -• 90 ore IC^ ,. • "JN'YERSITy OF B.C. LIBRARY 3 9424 00615 2091 h. VS ft4- FDRESTRY AGRICULTURE LIBRARY ill iiiiil •» ^ ^^H „l| iHli liiiiiniHitiiiiiHtntiiiiliiiihi