The Complete Book of Violets NELSON COON Three quarters of a century have passed since there was a general book on "usable" violets, and just a half century since the author produced his purely cultural book on the subject. But here is offered a compendious résumé of not only the cultural methods of violet-growing, but their uses for food and medicine as well. There is also a look into the vast literary allusions, as well as the history of violet cultivation for two thousand years. In the beginning, the author, who has grown violets over seven decades of his life, offers much historical material not previously published, taking the love of these royal-purple, fragrant flowers back into Roman times and to the "spice and perfume" trade, espe- cially discussing the interesting story of the sterile but long-grown Parma violets. One chapter discusses some fifty garden-usable violets with illustrations of the identifiable foliage of each. The culinary chapter gives actual recipes for using the flowers and foliage of violets to add interest, flavor, and the inherent vitamins to one's table.

ISBN: 0498021106