THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 53 



grown, there will be no difficulty whatever in producing well-ripened 

 and short-jointed canes. By the end of August or early in Septem- 

 ber the canes will, if they have been properly managed, be full 

 grown, and should be taken to the open air for a month or sis weeks 

 to insure their being properly ripened. The canes should be securely 

 fastened to a wall or fence having a south aspect, and during heavy 

 rains some means must be adopted to prevent the soil becoming 

 saturated. The soil, however, must not be kept dust dry duriug the 

 season of rest, or many of the roots will perisb, and the vines suffer 

 immensely. The very excellent remarks made by " A Kentish 

 Gardener " upon this subject in last month's number, renders it un- 

 necessary for me to say another word in reference to the danger of 

 drying^the roots in winter. 



Next month vineries, vine-borders, and planting must engage our 

 attention, but before quitting the subject, for the present, it will be 

 worth while to add that although the vines should be kept cool when 

 at rest, they must not be exposed to severe frost. 



THE NIGHT-SCENTED STOCK. 



EXCEPTING- by reputation, the Night-scented Stocks, 

 Mathiolct bicornis and M. tricuspidata, are only known 

 to a few, whereas they should have a place assigned 

 them in every garden where sweet-scented flowers are 

 appreciated. No piant in cultivation, much less hardy 

 annuals, can surpass, and few equal, the delicacy and richness of the 

 perfume emitted from their flowers. The entire plant, of both 

 varieties, with us, usually attains a height of about twelve inches ; 

 the upper half consisting of a branchiug spike of pale lilac, and in the 

 case of M. bicornis, it must be confessed, rather insignificant flowers. 

 The latter are closed during the day, and are then nearly scentless, 

 but from early in the evening to the following morning the odour 

 exhaled from them is so powerful, that the presence of the plants 

 can be detected when many yards from them. M. tricuspidata is an 

 old variety of much value, and has been recently re-introduced. In 

 some respects it is superior to M. bicornis ; the flowers are larger, 

 rather deeper in colour, and remain expanded during the day as well 

 as the night. The perfume of the flowers of this variety during the 

 day was said to be equal to that exhaled from them in the evening, 

 but that is an exaggeration, as it is far inferior, although very 

 delightful. 



We sow a pinch of seed in March, here and there, in the shrub- 

 bery borders, where the plants will be partially screened from 

 observation by those of greater stature. Ttiey are thinned out in 

 the same way as other annuals, and then left to take care of them- 

 selves. The fragrance which arises in the evening from the plants 

 on all sides is most lovely, and produces an indescribable effect upon 

 those of our friends, when seated at the open window of the drawing- 

 room, who have not hitherto been personally acquainted with either 



