White Tokay
Fruit greenish-white, large, ovate; flesh firm, with a sweet, pleasant flavour when well ripened; bunches large, broadly shouldered, well set. A late, vinous Grape.
Varieties of American Grapes (Vitis Labrusca).
These form quite a distinct class from the European Grapes. The American Vine is of a remarkably free and vigorous growth. The berries are small; flesh greenish, having a mucilaginous texture, and a strong musky perfume, with a peculiar "foxy," sweetish flavour; bunches small, produced in great abundance. The leaves are large, thick and leathery, very downy or pubescent on the under surface, and but slightly lobed. The varieties existing in America are extremely numerous, and are better adapted to that country than the European Grapes. The Strawberry Grape has been for many years cultivated in this country and in Germany, and by some persons is greatly esteemed. Those here described have been fruited at Chiswick.
Brighton. Fruit black, small; flesh tender, of a peculiarly sweet flavour; bunches small.
Duchess. Fruit white, medium; flesh brisk, sweet, and pleasant; bunches long, loose.
Eldorado. Fruit deep yellow, small, round, having a strong musky flavour; bunches small.
Golden Pocklington. Fruit clear yellow, round, small, juicy and sweet; bunches medium-sized, compact.
Jefferson. Fruit grizzly-red, large, roundish; flesh melting, of a brisk, sweet, pleasant flavour; bunches small.
Lady. Fruit deep yellow, small, round; flesh melting, musky, rich; bunches small, thinly set.
Moore's Early. Fruit purplish-black, with a fine bloom, small, round; flesh melting, sweet; bunches small, compact.
Strawberry. Fruit purplish-red, small, roundish-ovate; flesh dark, thick or mucilaginous; bunches small, compact, closely set. The ripe fruit emits a strong perfume of ripe strawberries or raspberries. See Fig. 192. VINE FUNGI. Many species of Fungi have been recorded as living on Vines in Europe and in North America, and there exists almost a special literature upon these parasites. They vary greatly in their destructive powers; and some species have ravaged the vineyards of both Continents. Inquiry into the best methods of contending with the parasites, and of saving the Vines from complete destruction, has thus been powerfully stimulated. In vineries in the British Islands, these pests have not caused so great harm as where the Vines are cultivated on a large scale; yet, even in Britain, the harm done is sufficient to render some notice of them desirable in this work. Of the hundred or more species that have been recorded as growing on Vines, only those that give rise to serious disease are mentioned below. Vine Mildew is the name given when the leaves and stems become covered with a whitish or greyish coating, either in patches, or over large portions of the plants. Such an appearance is caused by more than one Fungus. The best-known are Oidium Tuckeri (which has long been known in Europe, and which was at one time most injurious in the vineyards of France, and also in those of Madeira), and Peronospora viticola, the latter a Fungus brought in recent years from America to France, on imported Vines.
Oidium Tuckeri was first described by the well-known botanist, Rev. M. J. Berkeley, from specimens sent to him, in 1847, by Mr. Tucker, a gardener in Ramsgate. It was detected in France in 1848. By 1851 it had spread to all the vineyards in Europe; and in the next year it was observed in Madeira. The Fungus shows itself as a thin, pale layer or coat on the leaves and on the young twigs, and even occurs on the fruits. The diseased parts often become pale, and more or less distorted; the coat becomes thicker; then the spots become brown, and the parts die. An examination with the microscope shows that the surface of the part is covered with the filaments of the Fungus creeping over the epiderm cells of the diseased spots, and that from the side of each filament of the Fungus little suckers are pushed into the epiderm-cells, and absorb food from them for the Fungus. From the other side of the filaments erect branches arise, each formed of a row of cells, of which those at the ends of the branches (conidia) are oval, and break away, to produce the Fungus again when they fall on suitable situations on the Vine leaves or branches. No other mode of reproduction has yet been detected in this Fungus, though it undoubtedly belongs to a more fully-developed form, such as is described under Mildew and Oidium. Mr. Berkeley has suggested that it may belong to the very common Erisyphe communis. Plants suffering from its attacks have a mouldy, disagreeable smell. Another Oidium (O. Balsamii), with more slender conidia, sometimes occurs on Vines. The Fungus spreads rapidly in a moist, warm atmosphere, and is greatly checked in dry air, and also by very heavy rain, which washes away the spores.
All dead leaves and stems should be removed and burned, to destroy the conidia. Flowers of sulphur form a complete and thorough cure, as they destroy the parasite without injuring the Vines. The sulphur should be dusted on the Vines in early spring, after the stems have begun to push forth, then again when the blossoms have opened, and lastly, when the grapes are beginning to ripen. To prevent any taste of sulphur being perceptible in the ripe fruits, the third dusting must not be too late. The green organs to which sulphur is to be applied should be moistened, to make the powder adhere. Peronospora viticola had been known, from 1834, as a parasite on almost all the Vines of North America; but it was imported into Europe only in 1878, on plants brought to replace the European Vines destroyed by Phylloxera. It has now spread widely through France and Algeria. The diseased leaves, about August, show patches of irregular form, and whitish in colour, which soon become brown and dry. The tissues of the leaf are traversed by mycelium, furnished with small haustoria, or suckers, for taking food from the cells; and the white spots bear myriads of erect, fruiting branches of the Fungus (see Peronospora), each repeatedly divided into three, less often into two, branches. The terminal branches are short, and on the tip of each is an egg-shaped spore. In the spore there grow five or six smaller spores (zoospores), which escape by the bursting of the cell-wall of the spore, and can swim about in dew-drops and moisture of any kind; and at last the zoospores settle down on the leaves, push a slender tube through the epiderm, and give rise to a new plant. The diseased plants produce defective crops of fruit. The grapes also may be attacked. The resting, or sexual, spores of the Fungus have been found in Vitis aestivalis; they have a thick, smooth, yellow coat.
Vines grow more healthily in well-watered than in dry soil, and are therefore better able to resist the attacks of the parasite; but a close, moist atmosphere is hurtful, as it encourages the growth of Moulds. The fruiting threads may be destroyed by dusting the plants with a mixture of sulphur and quicklime; but the internal mycelium renders a thorough cure very difficult. Probably the best preventive of the disease is burning dead leaves, stems, prunings, &c.
Several other species of Fungi have been recorded as very destructive in the vineyards of France, Germany, and Italy; but they have not been observed to be hurtful in England, and therefore require but brief notice here. The roots have been found destroyed by four different Fungi, viz., the Rhizomorpha stage of Agaricus melleus (Figs. 193 and 194) (see Pinus, FUNGI), Dermatophora necatrix, Roesleria hypogaea, and an imperfect mycelium enveloping the lateral roots, and called by Persoon Fibrillaria xylotricha. These Fungi differ in details of their attacks on the Vine roots; but they all kill the roots, usually beginning with the younger ones; the leaves turn yellow and fall off; and the Vines perish, though some continue to exist in a sickly state for one or two years, if left untouched. Against these root-parasites, the only effectual remedy is to remove and burn the diseased plants, taking the utmost care to remove all fragments of wood, &c., from the soil, to prevent the disease from reaching healthy subjects. No cure is known for plants already attacked by any of these Fungi.
Another disease very fatal in European vineyards assumes the form of dark spots on the young shoots and leaves, on the flower-stalks, and on immature fruits. At first the spots are round, brownish pustules; but they soon extend, and often become confluent. The centre becomes ashy-grey or pinkish-grey, owing to the outpouring of minute, oval conidia through the torn epidermis; but the rest of the spot becomes nearly black. It is surrounded by a narrow, brown border. All the surface tissues of the spot are hardened, and are full of the mycelium of the Fungus; and the conidia or spores are produced on the surface of the mycelium, but below the epidermis, through a tear in which they escape when mature. This Fungus is known as Gloeosporium ampelophagum. Those parts of the Vines on which it grows are killed or seriously stunted, and even the plants themselves may be killed in bad attacks. When it grows on the flower-stalks, the entire clusters of fruit are destroyed. When it occurs on the grapes, they seldom come to ripeness. The disease has attracted much attention; and it is said that an effectual cure for it has been found in the employment of a solution of sulphate of iron (10 to 15 per cent.) in water, applied in winter, with a pretty large brush, to all parts of the branches. This solution destroys all spores of Fungi, but does not seem to injure the bark of the Vines. As a preventive measure, all prunings and dead leaves should be carefully removed from the surface of the soil, lest they might spread infection among the healthy plants in the following spring. In Saccardo's great work, the "Sylloge Fungorum," many other Fungi are noted as parasitic on Vines, some of which (Fusarium Zavianum, Pionnotes Biasolettiana, &c.) are occasionally more or less hurtful. Probably one or other of the remedies indicated above would prove suitable against these parasites, as well as against any others that may in future be met with in vineries in Great Britain.
VINE GALLS. Of these, by far the most to be dreaded are the Galls produced on stems and leaves by Phylloxera vastatrix (see Grape or Vine Louse). The only other Galls on Vines in Europe worth mention are pale, hairy growths (Erineum Vitis) caused by Mites (Phytoptus), in patches on the lower surface of the leaves, and two produced by Gall-midges. Of these, one is a swelling of the twigs, and is the work of an undetermined species of Midge (Cecidomyia); it occurs in the South of France, and in the South of Russia. The other produces swellings, not unlike those of Phylloxera, on the leaves. They are about 1/10in. in diameter, conical on the upper surface, and more rounded below. Several grow in each leaf. This Gall has been found in Austria. The North American Vine Galls are far more varied in size and form than the European, and several of them attain considerable size. All that will be referred to here are the work of Gall-midges (Cecidomyia). The "Filbert Gall" is developed form a bud, and forms a mass 1 1/2in. to 2 1/2in. in diameter, made up of from ten to forty woolly, greenish, juicy Galls, each tenanted by one orange-yellow larva. The "Tomato Gall" consists of an irregular mass of juicy, yellowish-green or red swellings, each occupied by four or five larval chambers, with one orange-yellow larva of Lasioptera Vitis in each. The whole mass may reach from 1in. to 4in. across.
The "Apple Gall" is attached to the stem, and is like a hazel-nut in form. It is nearly 1in. in diameter. There are eight or nine furrows down the surface, which correspond to chambers in the interior, in an upper and a lower series. Each is occupied by a bright yellow larva of a Cecidomyia. The gall is juicy, and the surface is covered with short, downy hairs. The "Trumpet Gall" rises from the upper (rarely the lower) surface of the leaf. As a rule, many stand on each leaf, two or three often being united at the base. These Galls are about 1/3in. long by 1/20in. broad in the widest part; they taper a little towards the base, and the other end is sharp. Their colour varies from bright red to green.
Remedy. None of the above Galls have yet been recorded from England. Should any of them be introduced with European or American Vines, they should be removed from the plants while still young and soft: no further remedy is needed.
VINEGAR PLANT. When fluids containing sugar in solution are allowed to stand exposed to the atmosphere, their composition undergoes considerable chemical changes in a short time. The microscopic spores of various kinds of Fungi fall into them, germinate, and feed upon the sugar, which they break up into simpler combinations. Carbonic Acid gas is given off; and a quantity of Alcohol is formed at the expense of the sugar. If the fluid is allowed to stand undisturbed for some time, the Alcohol also is attacked, and is changed, by the addition of Oxygen to it, into Vinegar. These changes are accompanied by the formation, on the surface of the fluid, of a tough, slimy layer, usually covering the whole surface, but not extending to a great depth. On examining a portion of the mass, it will be found to form layer on layer, separable from one another, the lower layers hanging in a flocculent web into the fluid. The microscope shows that the mass is made up chiefly of the translucent filaments of a Fungus, consisting of short, rod-like cells, end to end, imbedded in a gelatinous substance. Some of the cells are swollen at intervals. All are very minute; but they are capable of growing and reproducing themselves, if broken off the filaments. Intermixed with these are various other forms of cells, belonging to other kinds of Fungi that grow in the fluid, since many kinds of spores usually fall into it. In fact, it is impossible to obtain an unmixed culture of such small Fungi, except by the exercise of the utmost care. Trustworthy observations and experiments prove that the production of Vinegar from Alcohol goes on only when this mass of Fungus is present (except when artificially effected by chemical agencies); hence the mass is usually known as the Vinegar Plant. Various species of Fungi have been detected in it; but there is reason to believe that the species which effects the formation of Vinegar is a member of the great group of Bacteria. It has received various names; those most commonly used are Mycoderma Aceti, Pasteur, and Bacterium Aceti, Kuetz. It forms the greater part of the Vinegar Plant, and its cells vary greatly in shape, being globular and very minute (Micrococcus), or like short rods (Bacterium form), or longer rods (Bacillus form), or filaments, as described above (Leptothrix form), all united by the gelatinous slime into what is often called a Zoogloea. Intermixed with the Mycoderma, or at times forming separate patches, are the filaments and groups of cells of Saccharomyces Mycoderma, a Fungus nearly allied to the Yeast of beer. By some botanists this has been regarded as the active agent in the production of Vinegar. Mycoderma Aceti has the power of absorbing Oxygen form the atmosphere, and of effecting its union with the Alcohol to form the Vinegar; and such cells of this Fungus as are in immediate contact with the air can even cause the breaking up of the Vinegar; into Carbonic Acid and water, by continuing the process of oxidation. In France, M. Aceti is employed in the commercial manufacture of Vinegar. Shavings of wood, covered with the Fungus, are put into solutions containing sugary substances, or Alcohol, such as beer, cider, sap of fruits, wines, brandy, &c. A temperature of from 85deg. to 95deg. Fahr. is found to give the most favourable results, both in rapidity and in amount of production of Vinegar. Mycoderma Aceti does not thrive in very acid wines or other solutions, and it generally appears in them only after they have been rendered less acid by the growth in them for some time of Saccharomyces Mycoderma. If a Vinegar Plant is allowed to remain on the fluid after it has exhausted the sugars available for its nourishment, the surface becomes covered, after a time, with blue, green, or yellow Moulds (Penicillium glaucum, &c.), or other minute Fungi. These were at one time believed to be developed as a further stage of the Vinegar plant itself; but they must be regarded as growing at the expense of the latter, when it is weakened by its food being exhausted.
VINE MOTHS. The larvae of several species of Moths feed on the leaves, twigs, or young fruit of Vines. Some of them are Hawk Moths (see Sphingidae), the Elephant Hawk Moths (Deilephila Elpenor and D. Porcellus) being the commonest. Others belong to the Night Moths (see Noctua). Of the latter may be specially noted the White-line Dart Moth (Agrotis Tritici), the Large Yellow Under-wing Moth (Triphaena pronuba), and the Gothic Moth (Noenia typica). All three feed on many plants, the two first-named being almost omnivorous; and all of them destroy the shoots and leaves of Vines, though the larvae differ a good deal in their habits. Those of Agrotis Tritici and of Triphoena pronuba hide in the soil by day, but at night they gnaw the young shoots near the ground; and it is thus difficult to detect them. The methods recommended against Surface Caterpillars may be employed to lessen their numbers. The larvae of Noenia typica feed, in autumn, on the upper surface of the leaves of most kinds of fruit-trees, including Vines. The young larvae live in companies, packed side by side, almost motionless, but eating away the surface membrane of the leaves steadily forward, and leaving brown, dead patches behind them. When about a fortnight old, they drop to the earth, and thereafter feed on low plants, till the cold weather of winter makes them go under shelter till spring, when they resume their life on the low herbage. They are dull brown, with a darker line down the back and one on each side, and a series of oblique, short, white lines along the lower part of each side. It is easy to remove the companies of larvae by hand-picking, if they are doing injury to the Vines. Certain of the smaller Moths belonging to the Tortricina (which see) are extremely destructive in the vineyards of France and Germany; but they are seldom the causes of much harm in British vineries, though they occur sparingly in England. Oenectra Pilleriana (called also Tortrix Pilleriana) has been the subject of very exhaustive investigation, by Audouin and other French naturalists, under the name "Pyrale de la Vigne." Its larvae live in rolled Vine leaves, and are very hurtful on the Continent; but the insect is too rare in England to call for a longer notice here. An allied insect (Eupaecilia ambiguella) is almost equally hurtful abroad, as the larvae feed on the flower-buds and on the young grapes, and envelop the clusters in webs, which prevent the growth of the fruit, and promote its early decay. This insect, also, is too rare in England to be dangerous. The fore wings reach a little over 1/2in. in span; they are ochreous, with a greyish streak along the basal half of the front margin, and a broad, slanting, dark grey bar about the middle of the wing; the head and thorax are ochreous. Lobesia reliquana (also called Tortrix vitisana and Grapholitha botrana) has very similar habits to the last-named species, devouring the flower-buds, and spinning the clusters of young fruit up in webs. In bad attacks, as much as half the crop has been lost in this way. This insect has been extremely troublesome in Austria. It is not rare in the South of England, though it has done little mischief in this country as yet. It is a little less than 1/2in. in span of fore wings, which are chestnut-red, marbled with pale buff, and with two dark brown, white-edged, triangular spots on the hinder margin of each. The change into pupae occurs in the soil below the Vines. The larvae may be detected by their webs, and should be removed, either by hand-picking the ravaged clusters, or by shaking or jarring them above a sheet, tarred tray, or any other contrivance for capturing the larvae shaken off the plants. In the "Gardeners' Chronicle" for Sept. 23, 1882, (Enectra Pilleriana and Lobesia reliquana are noticed and figured by Professor Westwood; and, in the same newspaper, a month later, still another insect-foe is added: this is Ditula angustiorana (also called Tortrix angustiorana). The last-named is nearly related to Lobesia reliquana, but is larger. The fore wings measure from 1/2in. to 3/4in. in span, being ochreous in the males, and reddish-brown in the females; in both sexes, the wings show a darker patch at the base, a chestnut-brown patch slanting from the middle of the wing to the hinder angle, and darker spots irregularly scattered over the outer half of the wing, the most conspicuous of these being a triangular spot on the front border. The larvae have been found living on most fruit-trees, as well as on Privet, Hawthorn, and other shrubs; and within the past few years they have been discovered in ripened grapes in English vineries. They also feed on the Vine leaves, but not in such numbers as to seriously injure the plants in this way. Though abundant in many parts of England, Ditula angustiorana usually feeds on a variety of food-plants in preference to Vines.
Among the Tineina (see Moths) there are few species that are dangerous to Vines. Of one small Moth (Antispila Pfeifferella) the larvae, which usually feed on the leaves of Dogwood, sometimes mine in the Vine leaves, and, when about to become pupae, form flat cases composed of two pieces cut out of the leaves, and attach them to the leaves or branches. The pupae lie protected in the cases till the emergence of the Moths. The fore-wings of the latter reach only about 1/3in. in span; they are brown, with a coppery or golden gloss, and near the middle they are crossed by two narrow, yellow bands, the outer of which is broken in the middle. The injury done to the leaves by this species is seldom noticeable, though the Moth is not rare in England. Treatment. This varies with the habits of the larvae that are doing the harm. Hand-picking is a sufficient remedy against the larvae of Hawk Moths, and the groups of larvae of Naenia typica. It is the only efficient method against Leaf-miners, such as Antispila; and it must also be resorted to against the larvae of Tortricina, which live inside the young or ripe fruits, or in the clusters, inclosed in webs. The larvae, and the leaves or grapes in which they live, should be destroyed, not merely thrown on the ground. Hand-picking is also of use where the eggs (e.g., of Enectra Pilleriana) are placed in clusters on the leaves. Those larvae that conceal themselves in the soil by day, and emerge from their concealment by night to feed on the shoots and leaves, or that gnaw the bark of the stems and roots, should be combated as recommended under Surface Caterpillars. Such larvae as live in rolled leaves may be collected in sheets or trays laid below the branches, which should be shaken or jarred, to cause the larvae to drop from their concealment. The larvae of some of the Tortricina that injure the Vines and fruits, pass the winter under the loose bark on the stems, and emerge, when the weather becomes milder, to devour the buds, young leaves, and flowers. The pupae of some are protected during winter in similar retreats. It is, therefore, desirable to remove all loose bark, and this can be done in winter by means of a brush of stiff fibres, e. g., of piassaba. All dead leaves and rubbish should also be removed from the surface of the soil, and either consigned to the compost-heap or burned. In the continental vineyards, the Moths are trapped by fires, or by shallow dishes of water, into which they fly. A solution of potassic sulphate (1 per cent), sprayed over the flower-buds about the time the first brood of Moths is on the wing, and over the young fruits when the second brood is ready for egg-laying, has been found to materially lessen the injury to the crop. VINE SCALE INSECTS. Though occurring in France and in Germany, these insects are not native in Britain. The one most frequently found on Vines is Lecanium Vitis, also called Coccus Vitis. The female is covered with an oval, convex scale, which is a little narrowed in front; the colour is reddish-brown, with black dots; the shield is bordered by the white, cottony secretion in which the red eggs are embedded. The male insects are very small; they are brick-red, with black thorax, brown antennae, and two transparent wings, each with a thickened and red front border; the body ends in two long bristles. This insect lives on the old stems of Vines, preferring such as are sickly; and it occurs either singly or in groups.
Mytilaspis Vitis is another Vine Scale, met with in Germany. It is very like the Apple Mussel Scale (which see), and has usually been mistaken for it; but the tow species differ in certain minute characteristics. The larvae live on the young twigs near the buds; and the spots on which they are placed become brown or blackish. The females live on the twigs of the second year's growth. Remedies are detailed under Scale Insects. The branches and stems must be well cleansed from the Scales, by means of a stiff brush and strong lye of wood-ashes, or solution of kerosene or carbolic acid. Good manure should afterwards be applied to the roots.
VINE SLUG. The name popularly given, in North America, to the larva of the Grape-vine Sawfly (Selandria Vitis), which occasionally almost strips the leaves off the Vines in vineyards in the United States. The perfect insect has four wings, which are smoky-brown, but semi-transparent, with brown veins. The thorax is red, the rest of the body black, and the fore legs and lower side of the other legs pale yellow or whitish. The female is 1/4in. long, the male rather shorter. The females lay their eggs in small clusters on the lower surface of the leaves at the tips of the shoots, in the spring and early summer. The larvae feed side, in groups of fifteen to twenty. Beginning at the edge of a leaf, they eat inwards, with great regularity of rank, till they reach the leafstalk; then they eat the next lower leaf, and so on down the shoot. The full-fed larvae are a little more than 1/2in. long, and are thickest a little behind the head, thence tapering, backwards. They are pale yellow, with darker or greenish backs. Each ring bears two cross rows of minute, black dots The head and the tip of the last segment are black. At the last moult they become entirely yellow, and, crawling down to the soil, burrow into it, and form small, oval, earthen cocoons. In a fortnight, the autumn brood of Sawflies emerges, and from their eggs a new brood of larvae is hatched.
Remedies. These insects have not been found in Europe, but may be brought from America with Vines. If introduced, the infested Vines should be sprinkled with Hellebore powder (1/2oz. in 1 gal. of water) or Paris Green (half-a-teaspoonful in 1 gal. of water).
VINE WEEVILS. Several species of the great group of Weevils are hurtful to the young twigs and leaves of Vines. They are hence sometimes distinguished as Vine Weevils; but this name is rather misleading, as they are all hurtful also to many other cultivated plants. They belong to the genera Otiorhynchus and Rhynchites. The species of most frequent occurrence on Vines are: O. Ligustici, black, with greyish scales; O. picipes (Clay-coloured Vine Weevil), of a brown or earthy colour, sometimes approaching clay-yellow; O. sulcatus, black or dark brown, with tufts of grey hairs on the wing-cases; and R. betuleti, shining blue or green, and hairless. A full account of these insects, and of the appropriate remedies against them, will be found under Otiorhynchus and Rhynchites.
VIOLA (the old Latin name used by Virgil, &c., akin to the Greek Ion). Heartsease; Pansy; Violet. Including Erpetion. ORD. Violarieae. A large genus (about 100 species) of mostly hardy, perennial herbs, rarely suffrutescent; nearly sixty are found in North temperate regions (seven in Britain), about thirty in South America, two in South or East Africa, and eight in Australia or New Zealand. Flowers often cleistogamous (except in the group of which V. tricolor may be taken as a representative)--the large-petaled ones appear first, and often yield no seed; the small-petaled, or apetalous ones, appear late, and are prolific--sepals sub-equal, produced at the base; petals spreading, the lower ones often larger, spurred or saccate at base; anthers connate, the connectives of the two lower ones often spurred at the base; peduncles axillary, one or rarely tow-flowered. Leaves alternate; stipules persistent, often leaf-like. Of the large number of species introduced, the best-known are here described; they are mostly dwarf plants--seldom exceeding 6in. in height--adapted for planting on rockwork, in flower borders, and, if sufficiently plentiful, in wild gardens, &c. Some of the species are very dwarf and compact in habit: these should, therefore, particularly if scarce, only be planted in select places where they can receive proper attention. The species may generally be propagated by seeds, by runners, or by divisions. The numerous varieties of bedding Violas and Pansies are popular and well-known plants, valuable for spring and summer bedding, for mixed borders, and for many other situations; they flower in the greatest profusion, and over a lengthened period, if the weather is not too hot and dry for their well-being. Seedlings may easily be raised, but varieties must be perpetuated by cuttings or by divisions. The treatment recommended under Pansy is also applicable to the bedding Violas.
Varieties. The following is a selection of floriferous varieties. Perhaps many others are equally as good as those here named.
ALPHA, bluish-purple. BLUE BELL, violet, shaded blue; very floriferous. CANARY, yellow; fine, CRITERION, violet; free. DICKSON'S GOLDEN GEM, golden-yellow; very free. GRIEVEI, yellow. HOLYROOD, indigo-blue; fine. LILACINA, rich lilac. PILRIG PARK, pure white; large and good. ROYAL VISIT, violet self. SNOWDROP, waxy-white. THE TORY, plum-colour; one of the best. SWEET VIOLETS (Viola odorata). Of these there are several varieties cultivated in gardens, and few flowers are more generally liked, particularly through the winter and spring months. To insure a supply at these periods, a special system of culture must be practised, and frames must be available. Stock plants may be divided--those similarly treated the previous year are preferable--into as many young single crowns as they admit, in April or May, and all the old crowns should be thrown away, unless required for propagating only. The selected crowns should be planted in good ground, and in an open situation, about 9in. apart, allowing 12in. between the rows. A position where Violets generally succeed in summer is a north or north-west border, but much depends on local circumstances and the nature of the soil, whether light or heavy; if light, the north border should be selected, as it would be cooler than elsewhere, and the plants would be less liable to the attacks of Red Spider, which is their greatest enemy. Attention to cleaning, lightly hoeing the surface soil, and watering, if necessary, are important details of summer management. Mulching with spent mushroom beds, or other short manure, is of great advantage if the summer be hot; it keeps the soil cool, and tends to prevent undue evaporation. Syringing, or sprinkling with water from a can, in the evenings, after dry days, is recommended, and most of the young runners which will appear should be cut away when small. Some cultivators save about three runners on each plant, and peg them down; these root and flower well during winter with the parent, and make excellent stock plants for the next year. Towards the middle or end of September, the frames, or pits, should be prepared, and the best specimens lifted and planted in them just close enough to occupy all the space without overcrowding. The frames should have a south aspect, and should be partially filled with well-prepared stable litter and leaves. About 6in. of soil is necessary for planting in, and this should be brought up as near the glass as the foliage will allow, so that full exposure to light and sunshine in winter will be assured. Give a thorough watering, and keep the frames rather close for about a week after planting; plenty of air may then be admitted, on all favourable opportunities, all through the winter, the sashes being entirely removed during sunshine and when there is no frost and also in very mild weather. Foggy weather is injurious to Violets in frames: it causes damping amongst the leaves, and prevents proper development of the flowers. Marie Louise is one of the best of all Violets for frame culture when treated as described; Comte Brazza and the old Neapolitan are also excellent. The Neapolitan does not generally grow so freely as Marie Louise, and is later in flowering. These three double-flowered varieties are general favourites for frames.
Varieties. There are several varieties, both double and single-flowered; the following selection comprises most of the best:
ARGENTAEFLORA, purplish-white, very fragrant. COMTE BRAZZA, white, double, sweet-scented; extra good. CZAR, blue, single, large, and produced in great profusion. MARIE LOUISE, lavender-blue and white, very large flowers, sweet-scented; very floriferous, extra fine. NEAPOLITAN, pale lavender; an old and well-known double variety, very sweet-scented. ODORATA ALBA, white, single; dwarf and distinct. QUEEN OF VIOLETS, white, flushed with pink, double. RUSSIAN, blue, single, large, very free; an old variety. VICTORIA REGINA, blue, double, large, fragrant. WHITE CZAR, a white form of Czar. V. altaica (Altaian). fl. yellow, large; sepals acute, denticulate; spur scarcely as long as the appendages of the sepals; stigma urceolate. March to June. l. oval; stipules cuneate, with acute teeth. Stem short. Root creeping, slender, hard. Altaian Mountains, 1805. (B. M. 1776; B. R. 54; R. G. 1071.) V. arenaria (sand-loving.) fl. pale blue, on short, axillary branches from a compact rosette; sepals acute; petals broad; spur short. May and June. l. orbicular-ovate, obtuse. Europe (Britain), &c. Plant small, tufted, pubescent, 2in. to 6in. in diameter. (Sy. En. B. 174 bis.) V. biflora (two-flowered). fl. yellow, the lip streaked with black, small sepals linear; petals smooth; spur very short; stigma bifid. April and May. l. reniform, serrated, smooth; stipules ovate. Stem erect, about two-flowered. Roots creeping Europe, Siberia, &c., 1752. (B. M. 2089; F. D. 46.) V. blanda (charming). fl. white, small, faintly sweet-scented; petals mostly beardless, the lateral ones veined with lilac; spur short. Early spring. l. round-cordate or reniform, minutely pubescent. Rootstock creeping. North America, 1802.
V. calcarata (spurred). fl. blue or white; sepals oblong, glandularly denticulate; spur awl-shaped, longer than the calyx. March to July. l. spathulate-roundish or elongated, crenate; stipules palmatifid or trifid. Stems short, simple, tufted. Root fibrous, diffuse. Austria, 1752. A very variable species.
V. c. albiflora (white-flowered). fl. white, large. l., stipules cut, scarcely ciliated. Stem short. (R. G. 1028.) V. c. Halleri (Haller's). fl. blue, large. Otherwise like V. c. albiflora. (R. G. 1028.) V. canadensis (Canadian). fl., petals white or whitish inside, the upper ones mostly tinged with violet beneath, the lateral ones bearded; spur very short; stigma beakless. May to August. l. cordate, pointed, serrated; stipules ovate-lanceolate, entire. h. 1ft. to 2ft. North America, 1783. (S. B. F. G. ser. ii. 62.) V. canina (canine). Dog Violet. fl. blue, lilac, grey, or white, 1/2in. to 1 1/4in. in diameter; sepals narrow, acuminate; spur obtuse; style clavate, hooked. April to August. l. long-petiolate, crenate-serrate, narrow ovate-cordate. Europe (Britain), &c. Very variable in size, habit, and colour of flower. (F. D. 2646.) V. c. lactea (milky). fl. grey; petals narrow, the spur very short. l. ovate-lanceolate, rounded or cuneate at base. Rootstock short, without runners. Plant very slender. (Sy. En. B. 176, under name of V. lactea.) V. c. persicaefolia (Peach-leaved). fl. pale lilac or white; spur very short. l. oblong-lanceolate, truncate at base; upper ones narrower. Rootstock long, with runners.
V. capillaris (capillary). fl. pale blue; lateral petals densely bearded; spur short, obtuse, greenish; pedicels axillary, solitary, slender, four to six times as long as the leaves. May to August. l. petiolate, ovate or ovate-oblong, 1/3in. to 2/3in. long, obtuse at base, cuneate-decurrent, slightly acute at apex, the margins remotely glandular-serrated. Stems many, tufted, decumbent, leafy. Chili. (F. d. S. 983.) V. cornuta (horned).* fl. pale blue; sepals awl-shaped; spur awl-shaped, elongated and abrupt at the base. May to July. l. cordate-ovate, crenate, ciliated; stipules obliquely cordate, toothed, ciliated. Stems ascending, diffuse. Root fibrous. Switzerland and Pyrenees, 1776. Plant tufted. (B. M. 791.) B. H. 1871, 9, represents one of the numerous large-flowered garden forms, called PERFECTION.
V. cucullata (hooded).* fl. deep or pale violet-blue or purple, sometimes nearly white or variegated with white; lateral, and often the lower, petals bearded; spur short and thick; stigma slightly beaked or beakless; scapes 3in. to 10in. high. Early spring. l. long-petiolate, erect, cordate, with a broad sinus, varying to reniform and dilated-triangular, smooth or more or less pubescent, the sides at the base rolled inwards when young, obtusely serrated. Rootstocks thickly toothed. North America, 1762. A very variable species. (B. M. 1795; S. B. F. G. ser. ii. 298.) There is a variegated form in cultivation. V. c. palmata (palmate-leaved). l. variously three to seven cleft or parted, or the earlier ones entire on the same plant. (B. M. 535, under name of V. palmata.) V. dentata (toothed). A synonym of V. sagittata.
V. erlocarpa (woolly-fruited). A form of V. pubescens. V. flabellata (fan-like). A synonym of V. pedata.
V. flabellifolia (fan-leaved). A synonym of V. pedata. V. hederacea (Ivy-like).* fl. blue, rarely white, usually small, but sometimes 3/4in. broad; petals glabrous, or the lateral ones slightly pubescent inside; spur reduced to a slight concavity. July. l. reniform, orbicular, or spathulate, usually less than 1/2in., but in very luxuriant specimens 1in. to 1 1/2in., broad, entire or toothed. Australia, 1823. Plant tufted, half-hardy. (H. E. F. iii. 225; L B. C. 1133.) SYNS. Erpetion hederaceum, E. reniforme (S. B. F. G. 170).
V. hirta (hairy). fl. inodorous or faintly scented; spur long and hooked; bracts lower on the peduncle; anther spurs lanceolate. April to June. l. narrower and more triangular, with deeper crenatures and a shallower sinus; hairs of petiole more spreading. Otherwise like V. odorata. Europe (Britain), &c. (Sy. En. B. 172.) V. lactea (milky). A form of V. canina.
V. lanceolata (lance-leaved). fl. white, small; petals beardless, the lower ones veined with lilac. Early spring. l. lanceolate, erect, blunt, tapering into a long-margined petiole, almost entire. Rootstock creeping. North America, 1759. (L. B. C. 211; S. B. F. G. 174.) V. montana (mountain-loving). fl. white, at length bluish; spur conical, truncate, straight, greenish, shorter than the sepals; stigma papilose, slightly reflexed. May to July. l., lower ones cordate, upper ones ovate, acute; petioles margined; stipules oblong, toothed or incised. Stem simple, erect. h. 1ft. Europe and Siberia, 1683. (B. M. 1595.) V. m. Ruppii (Ruppius'). l. cordate or lanceolate. Stems procumbent. (A. F. P. iii. 25 and L. B. C. 686, under name of V. Ruppii.) V. Munbyana (Munby's).* fl. violet or yellow, large, one to three from the lower axils; spur straight, nearly twice exceeding the calyx; peduncle erect, long-exceeding the leaves. Spring. l. ovate-cordate, obtuse, obtusely crenate, glabrous, or the margins slightly ciliated. Stems procumbent. Algiers. A pretty species. lutea is a yellow-flowered form.
V. odorata (odorous).* Sweet Violet. fl. blue, white, or redpurple, fragrant; lateral petals with or without a tuft of hairs; spur nearly straight, short, obtuse; anther spurs linear-oblong; style hooked; stigma oblique; bracts about the middle of the peduncle. March to May. l. deeply cordate at base, the sinus closed; stipules glandular; petioles deflexed-hairy. Rootstock short, scarred, with very long runners. Europe (Britain), &c. (B. M. PI. 25; Sy. B. 171.) V. o. alba (white). fl. white.
V. o. pallida-plena (pale double). Neapolitan Violet. fl. pale lavender, double, very sweet-scented.
V. o. permixta (confused). fl. pale, scentless. Runners not rooting. V. o. sepincola (hedge-loving). fl. dark, scentless. Runners rooting. More hairy than the type V. palmata (palmate). A Variety of V. cucullata.
V. palustris (marsh-loving). fl. white or lilac, 1/2in. in diameter, scentless; sepals obtuse; lateral petals almost glabrous; spur short, obtuse; stigma obliquely truncate. April to July. l. cordate-reniform, slightly crenate, enlarging after flowering; stipules glandular. Rootstock white, scaly, subterranean, creeping; runners short, leafless. Europe (Britain), &c. (Sy. En. B. 170.) V. pedata (pedate-leaved).* fl. usually bright blue, sometimes pale or even white, very large; petals all glabrous, the spur very short: stigma large and thick, margined, obliquely truncate. May and June. l. pedately about seven-parted, firm; leaflets linear-lanceolate, entire or incisely three-toothed at the summit, sometimes very narrow and laciniate; stipules ciliated. Rhizome thick. North America, 1759. See Fig. 198. (A. B. R. 153; B. M. 89; F. M. 350; L. B. C. 536; S. B. F. G. 69). SYNS. V. flabellifolia (L. B. C. 777), V. flabellata (S. B. F. G. ser. ii. 247).
V. p. atropurpurea (dark purple). fl. dark purple; pistil pubescent. l., segments cuneate, incised. (F. d. S. 1361; R. G. 1110, f. a.) V. p. bicolor (two-coloured).* A very handsome variety, with the two upper petals deep violet, and, as it were, velvety, like a Pansy. V. pedunculata (pedunculate).* fl. deep yellow, large; petals broadly obovate, the two upper ones with conspicuous claws, the lateral ones bearded at the base; spur very short; peduncles twice or thrice as long as the leaves. Spring. l. rhombic-ovate, scarcely 1in. long, rather thick, coarsely and obtusely toothed, abruptly narrowed at base. California, 1856. Half-hardy. (B. M. 5004; F. d. S. 2426.) V. praemorsa (bitten). fl. yellow, rather large; lower petal veined with brown, emarginate; spur very short; peduncles mostly shorter than the leaves. Spring. l. ovate-lanceolate, repandly denticulate or nearly entire; stipules entire. Stems erect, short. North America, 1828. Plant usually densely hirsute. (B. R. 1254.) V. pubescens (downy). fl. yellow, the lower petals veined with purple; spur extremely short. Spring and early summer. l. very broadly cordate, toothed, somewhat pointed; stipules large, ovate or ovate-lanceolate. Stems simple, erect, naked below, two to four-leaved above. h. 6in. to 12in. North America, 1772 Plant softly pubescent. (L. B. C. 1249; S. B. F. G. 223.) V. p. eriocarpa (woolly-fruited). A stout and more pubescent variety, 1ft. to 2ft. high, with woolly pods. (B. R. 390; S. B. F. G. 102, under name of V. eriocarpa.) V. pyrolaefolia (Pyrola-leaved). fl. yellow; sepals acuminate; petals densely bearded within; spur short, obtuse; stamens emarginate at apex. January. l. ovate, sometimes loosely cordate; stipules fringed at apex. Patagonia, 1851. (F. d. S. 665.) V. Riviniana (Rivinus). A form of V. sylvatica.
V. rothomagensis (Rouen).* fl. bright blue, the side petals and lip striped with black; spur tubular, obtuse, shorter than the sepals; bracts near the flower, lanceolate, with a tooth on each side. April to August. l. ovate, the lower ones somewhat cordate, crenate, fringed; stipules pinnatifid, rather lyrate. Stems zigzag, branched, diffuse. Root rather fusiform. France and Belgium, 1781. Plant hispid or pilose. (B. M. 1498.) V. rotundifolia (round-leaved). fl. yellow; lateral petals bearded and marked with brown lines; spur very short. Early spring. l. round-ovate, cordate, slightly crenate, 1in. broad at flowering time, increasing in the summer to 3in. or 4in., then lying flat on the ground, shining above. Rootstock creeping. North America, 1800.
V. Ruppii (Ruppius'). A variety of V. montana.
V. sagittata (arrow-leaved). fl. purple-blue, rather large; lateral, or occasionally all, petals bearded; spur short and thick; stigma beaked. Spring and early summer. l. on small and margined, or the later ones on naked, petioles, varying from oblong-cordate to hastate, sagittate, oblong-lanceolate, or ovate, denticulate, sometimes cut-toothed near the base. North America, 1775. Plant smoothish or hairy. (L. B. C. 1471.) SYN. V. dentata (L. B. C. 1485).
V. s. emarginata (emarginate). fl., petals emarginate or bi-dentate. l. almost triangular, lacerate-toothed near the base.
V. Selkirkii (Selkirk's). fl. pale violet; spur very large, almost as long as the petals, thickened at the end. Spring and early summer. l. round-cordate, crenate, 1/2in. to 1 1/4in. long, minutely hairy above, and having a deep, narrow sinus; petioles (and scapes) 1in. to 2in. long. Rootstock filiform, fibrous-rooted. North America, 1873. A small and delicate plant. (R. G. 752.) SYN. V. umbrosa.
V. striata (striated). fl. cream-coloured or white; lateral petals bearded, the lower ones striped with purplish lines; spur rather thick, much shorter than the petals; stigma beaked. April to October. l. cordate, finely serrated, often acute; stipules large, oblong-lanceolate, strongly fringed-toothed. Stems angular, ascending, 6in. to 10in. high. North America, 1772. V. suavis (sweet). Russian Violet. fl. pale blue, white at the base, sweet-scented; sepals obtuse; four upper petals narrowest, the lower one emarginate, the two lateral ones with a hairy line; stigma hooked, naked. March to May. l. reniform-cordate, crenate, pubescent. Stolons long, creeping and rooting. Tauria, 1820. (S. B. F. G. ser. ii. 126.) V. sylvatica (sylvan). Wood Violet. fl. bluish-purple or lilac, on axillary branches from a radical rosette; base of sepals much produced in fruit; spur short, broad, compressed, furrowed, usually pale. March to July. l. broadly ovate-cordate; stipules lanceolate, acute, fimbriated or toothed. Rootstock short. Europe (Britain). Plant glabrous.
V. s. Reichenbachiana (Reichenbach's). fl. paler, smaller, and earlier than in the species; spur longer; sepals scarcely produced in fruit. (Sy. En. B. 174.) V. s. Riviniana (Rivinus').* fl. bluish-purple or lilac, scentless, 5/8in. to 1in. across; petals obovate-oblong, the lowest much broader than the others; peduncles long, with two small bracts. Late summer. l., lower ones as broad as (or broader than) long; upper ones a little narrower than long. (Sy. En. B. 173, under name of V. Riviniana.) V. tricolor (three-coloured).* Heartease; Pansy. fl. 1/4in. to 1 1/4in. in diameter; sepals with large auricles; petals purple, whitish, or golden-yellow, sometimes particoloured; stigma capitate, excavated. May to September, l. long-petiolate, ovate-oblong or lanceolate, 1in. to 1 1/2in. long, lyrate, coarsely and remotely crenate-serrate; stipules 1/3in. to 1/2in. broad. Stem 4in. to 18in. long, branched, erect or ascending, angular, flexuous. Rootstock none. Europe (Britain), &c. See Fig. 199. (Sy. En. B. 178.) In addition to the two most popular names above mentioned, the following are applied to this species: Call-me-to-you, Fancy, Flamy, Garden Gate, Herb Trinity, Jump-up-and-kiss-me, Kiss-me, Kiss-me-at-the-garden-gate, Live-in-idleness, Love-in-idleness, Pink-of-my-John, Three-faces-under-a-hood, Tickle-my-fancy.
V. t. arvensis (field-loving). fl. white or yellowish; petals usually shorter than the sepals, or wanting. Stem elongated, branched. (Sy. En. B. 179.) V. t. Curtisii (Curtis'). fl. blue, purple, or yellow; petals spreading, rather longer than the sepals. Rootstock branched, stoloni-ferous, tufted. (Sy. En. B. 180.) V. t. lutea (yellow). Mountain Vine. fl. blue, purple, or yellow; petals spreading, much longer than the sepals. Rootstock branched. Branches slender, with short stems and underground runners. (Sy. En. B. 181.) V. umbrosa (shade-loving). A synonym of V. Selkirkii. V. variegata (variegated-leaved). fl. pale violet; spur cylindrical, straight, as long as the sepals. May and June. l. cordate-ovate or roundish, violaceous below, obscurely green above, white at the veins, and rather hispid (in fruit-bearing plants large and almost glabrous); stipules lanceolate, denticulated. Root rather hard, sub-divided. Dahuria, 1817. (R. G. 1852, 20.)