STOCK OR GILLYFLOWER. 27 



replace tliose that may have been lost in severe 

 seasons ; and if sown at three different times, at 

 intervals of about four weeks from each other, a 

 succession of these fragrant flowers may be obtained 

 during several months. 



The earliest sowing should be made about the 

 middle of February, upon a very moderately hot 

 bed, so as just to force the plants, which must be 

 guarded against the frost : when of a size to 

 remove^ they should be transplanted into a bed 

 with a south aspect, at about four inches' distance, 

 observing to water and shade them till they have 

 taken root ; and in about five or six weeks, they 

 may be transplanted into the borders of the flower- 

 garden, or in clumps in the foreground of the 

 shrubbery. It is from these earliest plants that 

 the finest seeds are generally obtained. 



The plants of the May sowing frequently con- 

 tinue in flower until near Christmas ; but if the 

 weather be wet in autumn, they frequently flower 

 with variegated petals, either striped or spotted with 

 red, or purple with white. 



C2 



