l exceed a month in moderate weather, it is one of the most
useful spring flowers; whilst, for cutting purposes, it cannot but rank
with the more choice, as, combined with extra brightness of colour, it
exhales a rich hawthorn perfume. To all who have a garden, big or
little, I would say, grow this sweet little shrub. It has never failed
to do well with me in any situation that was fully exposed; it flowers
freely in a light dry bed, but on rockwork it is most at home. The
quickest way to prepare plants of flowering strength is to divide strong
pieces; but this interferes with the larger specimens, which are by far
the best forms in which to grow and retain it. Another mode is to cut
off all the flowers nearly down to the old wood; side shoots will thus
be induced to grow earlier than otherwise, so that in late summer they
may be taken off as slips, and there will still be plenty of time to
strike them like wallflower slips, and get plenty of roots to them
before the cold weather sets in. The plant also produces seed freely in
its inflated pods, which affords another, but more tedious, way of
increasing it.

Flowering period, April to June.

Viola Pedata.

PEDATE-LEAVED _or_ BIRD'S-FOOT VIOLET; _Nat. Ord._
VIOLACEAE.

Over a hundred years ago this hardy herbaceous violet was introduced
from North America; still, it is not largely grown, though it is now
becoming quite a favourite. As may be seen by the illustration (Fig.
110), it is distinct in general appearance, more especially in the
foliage, which in its young state is bird-foot-shaped, whence the
appropriateness of its specific name; it should perhaps be explained
that the leaves are very small compared with the flowers when the plant
first begins to bloom, but later they increase very much in size. There
are several characteristics about this species which render it
desirable, and no choice collection should be without either this (the
typical form) or some of its varieties. Deep cut, shining, dark green
foliage, very bright blue flowers, and pleasing habit are its most
prominent features; its blooming period is prolonged, and it has a
robust constitution, which further commends it to lovers of choice
flowers, and if once planted in proper quarters it gives no further
trouble in the way of treatment.

The flowers are nearly an inch across, bright purple-blue, produced on
stalks of varying lengths, but mostly long; the leaves are many parted,
segment