6.—PANSIES.
Who does not love a pansy? They are easily raised by seed and layers. The seeds should be planted in March for summer culture, and in October for winter use. The pansy requires a rich soil.
The finest bed of English pansies we ever saw were planted in the fall, in a bed of rich soil. Before the winter snows the plants were covered lightly with manure and straw through the winter. In the spring the manure was carefully raked off, and the plants dug around with a garden fork. They bloomed early in spring; and, as we looked upon them by the morning light, their bright faces seemed to say “Good morning!” These lovely flowers look like happy children.
Many persons in our country call the pansy, violet; but the gardener only calls the sweet double blue and white violet by that name. And this sweet violet hides its head modestly under its leaves, and is the flower the poet speaks of,—
“Meek and lowly, hiding ’neath its leaves of green.”
The bright-faced pansy does not hide its head; it looks you in the face as fearless as a sinless child. These violets are in great demand from their delicious perfume. These plants require shade and moisture. The best varieties are the “double blue Neapolitan” Setsenbran, single blue, very prolific. King of Violets, very large blue. Double white Neapolitan; this does not bloom freely. Sweet-scented Geraniums, Heliotrope, Lantanas, Lemon Verbena, &c., are all easily propagated from slips. The three first require often watering with guano water, and with this treatment will fully repay all care.
7.—HOW TO PLANT HARDY BULBS.
October, or the early part of November, is the time to plant bulbs for next year’s flowering. Bulbs can be raised in any sunny place, no matter how small the bed may be; they require less care, for the beauty of the flower, than any other class of plants. We will give some plain and simple directions, hoping our young readers may be induced to plant at least a few bulbs this fall.
The soil for bulbs should be rich and well drained; it should also be dug deep. If water should lie on the surface long the bulbs would rot. If the soil is poor, enrich it with well-rotted stable manure, or with surface earth from the woods, or decayed leaves. Cow manure, of course, is the best. If the ground is stiff, and the manure fresh, it is well to put a little sand around each bulb. If the soil has too much clay, mix sand with the manure.