80 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



ing for years, chopped moss, sand, and a small proportion of 

 thoroughly-decomposed dung will make a tolerably good mixture, 

 but there is this objection to its use, that the predominance of half- 

 decayed sticks in it is likely to lead to the development of mycelium. 

 "Where rough materials of this kind can be got in bulk, it will be 

 best to char all the coarse woody portions. This is a sure preventive 

 of mycelium. 



Lastly, where the staple is a siliceous sand, the addition of any 

 sweet vegetable mould in moderate quantity will render it suitable 

 for American shrubs. There are many good hybrid rhododendrons, 

 as for instance, the Gejn, a fine blush fiowering variety in Mr. 

 Standish's collection, that will grow in a bed of pure sand. But the 

 place must be poor indeed if chip pings of turf and decayed leaves 

 cannot be had to enrich the soil sufficiently for the purpose. In the 

 case of planting a soil unusually poor, as one consisting chiefly of 

 sand, for instance, we should advise mulching the surface early every 

 spring with rotten cow-dung. This would contribute to the free 

 growth of the trees, and yet not act as a stimulus. 



It is generally known that American shrubs, and, in fact, peat 

 plants generally, detest the salts of lime. Any soil or compost con- 

 taining an appreciable proportion of lime or chalk is unfit for peat 

 plants, and should never be used. S. H. 



THE BEST VAEIETIES OF GAEDEN STOCKS. 



|T is generally understood that the best seeds and varie- 

 ties of Stocks are annually imported from Prussia. The 

 large demand made upon the growers in that country 

 has induced them to offer almost endless varieties, 

 giving them every imaginable name, so that in many 

 cases the purchaser will have a distinction in name only. To assist 

 the amateur especially, and also those of the gardening fraternity 

 who are not so well used to German lists as myself, has tempted me 

 to pen these few remarks. We first take in hand Stocks. On 

 referring to a celebrated German grower's list, I find he enumerates 

 nine distinct classes of Dwarf Ten- week Stocks, calling some minia- 

 ture, others perpetual-flowering, large-flowering, loose-flowering, 

 etc. Out of these nine classes, only two are really distinct enough 

 for us to trouble ourselves with, and these are the Dx-arf German 

 and the Wallflower-leaved Ten-tceek Stocls. Of the flrst they offer 

 thirty-six distinct colours, embracing all shades from brick-red to 

 white and sulphur ; and to those who can afford to buy the large 

 packages I say by all means have them ; but the packets of twelve 

 varieties will be the most serviceable to our readers as a body, as the 

 price of the twelve will be some 2s. 6f/., and for this sum, with a 

 little care and management, you will have such a display as will gra- 

 tify not only yourself, but all your friends. To those who cannot 

 afford to purchase a 2s. <dd. packet, the mixed seed will be the best, 

 as the German growers save it in this way, and you will get a nice 

 packet for Is., only you run the risk of having less variety in the 



