24 FLORA HISTORICA. 



sex ; and on hearing THotesse acknowledge them 

 as Giroflier de Bro?npton, he insisted on halting at 

 her house^ where he treated the party with un de- 

 jeune a la fourchette, and left the village with a 

 sprig of the Brompton Stock in his button-hole, 

 his eyes sparkling with champagne and good hu- 

 mour, which lasted for the remainder of the journey, 

 during which time he often said, " Thanks to the 

 Brompton Stock." 



We shall now proceed to lay down rules for 

 obtaining the Stock in its highest perfection. The 

 first and material point is the choice of seed, which 

 should be saved from those plants that have their 

 petals increased to five or six, as the full flowers 

 never produce seed — yet it is the opinion of most 

 gardeners that they assist in causing other plants 

 to become double; and it will be observed that 

 there is frequently a straggling anther to be found 

 in the double blossoms, which may assist this 

 change by the impregnation of the neighbouring 

 plant : it is therefore a general rule to suffer as 

 many single-flov^-ercd plants to remain in the beds 

 as are sufficient to furnish the required quantity of 

 seed. 



The beginning of May is the best time for sow- 

 ing the Biennial Stocks ; and it is recommended to 

 sow them in fresh, undunged earth, when they are 

 intended to remain exposed during the winter ; for 



