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Mathiola annua.

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EFERENCE to the older authors will in a very striking manner illustrate the muchtalked-of improvement of garden flowers. In the days of the early English writers on horticulture there were no such stocks known as we are now familiar with, although the "stock gilliflower," as it was called, had assumed a variety of forms, and there were several kinds with double flowers in cultivation. The gay colouring and the spicy odour of the flowers would ensure popularity for the plant in its least improved form, and these qualities

have ensured constant attention to its merits, so that even fashion, which often puts its foot on beautiful flowers for no good reason whatever, has not succeeded at any time in depreciating this fine old favourite.

There are about thirty species of stocks known to

botanists, and all are natives of the countries bordering on the Mediterranean. Only two or three of the whole number obtain the attention of gardeners, but of these the varieties are numerous, and they are maintained in their integrity by very careful selection; and there is perhaps as much science and skill brought to bear upon stocks as upon any class of plants esteemed in European gardens. The constancy of the several kinds to the characters that obtain distinction for them is truly surprising, and of no less interest to the philosopher than to the simple lover of cheerful flowers.

The generic designation Mathiola is of modern origin, and commemorates P. Mathioli, an. Italian botanist. In the old books stock gilliflowers are classed under the generic name Leucoium, and were familiarly called "violets." Thus Gerarde says: "Under the name of stocke gilliflowers are comprehended many kindes of violets, which differ especially in the colour of the flowers, and also somewhat in the leaues." The most important species is M. annua, the "ten-week stock," of which the varieties are innumerable. M. incana, the hoary stock, is the foundation of the Brompton and Queen stocks, and probably also of the Giant Cape stock, which is referred to M. fenestralis, a species of doubtful distinction. M. Græca, the Grecian gilliflower, supplies the race of "wallflower-leaved" stocks, a very distinct section, the leaves of which are of a bright green colour and destitute of hoariness. M. bicornis is a curiosity. The flowers are of a slaty-lilac colour; they emit a delightful fragrance during the night, but during the day are scentless.

Stocks of all kinds require good cultivation. The compost employed must be light and rich, and during hot, dry

weather they should have abundance of water. The routine of treatment varies with the kinds and the seasons in which they are required to flower, and to succeed thoroughly with any one class demands a considerable degree of patience and skill. Not a few of the English visitors to the Paris Exhibition in 1878 were astonished at the display of double stocks in the gardens on the 1st of May, when the stocks were as gay as we are accustomed to see them in July, and a cruel deluge of rain threatened to wash them out of existence. It did not succeed, however, and the immense masses of white, bluish, and crimson stocks improved as time wore on, and throughout the whole of the month of June were as fresh and beautiful and meritorious as any of the flowers of those great and gay gardens.

The easiest way to obtain a fine display of double stocks is to sow the seed early in the month of March, in pans or boxes filled with light rich soil, and assist germination by putting the seed-pans on a gentle hot-bed. As soon as the plants are large enough to handle they should be pricked out into boxes similarly filled with light rich soil, being put two or three inches apart. This proceeding will promote a dwarf, stout growth, so that by the middle of May the plants will be strong enough to be planted out. The bed should be in a sunny situation, well prepared by deep digging and liberal manuring, and when the planting is finished a coating of half-rotten stable manure should be spread over. The unsightliness of this will quickly be hidden by the spread of the plants, if they are well taken care of. In the event of a sharp frost occurring after they are planted some kind of protection must be afforded Empty flower-pots turned over the plants may serve the purpose; or boughs of laurel and other evergreen trees

may be stuck in amongst them aslant; or a canvas or net may be stretched over the bed, and supported with stakes in such a way that it does not anywhere touch the plants. For this culture ten-week stocks are most appropriate.

For early-flowering stocks another routine must be adopted. The seed should be sown in July, and the pans should be put in a cool pit or frame, and the seed be allowed to sprout without artificial heat. If the soil of the garden is well drained, and the situation dry and sheltered, the young plants may be planted out as soon as they are large enough, and they will stand the winter well. But in cold, damp localities and on heavy and undrained soils it is sheer waste of time to plant them out, for unless the winter is exceptionally mild they will certainly perish. In this case they may be potted into small pots and have the shelter of a frame or pit. The Brompton and Queen varieties are well adapted for this culture.

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