OX BLOOMING DOUBLE STOCKS IN POTS. 7 



with abundance of plants thus raised at the various nursery-grounds 

 in the environs of the Metropolis, and elsewhere, ready for being- 

 drawn from the frames in March. I have in some seasons planted 

 out in the latter end of February. The precise time for planting 

 must, however, be somewhat regulated by the state of the season 

 and the weather. 



The soil best suited to the Stock appears to be, a rich light 

 sandy loam, moderately manured with old frame-dung, well incor- 

 porated together; or if a heavy strong loam is used, a good portion 

 of sharp grey sand should be united with it, manuring it with old 

 frame-dung, as above. 



As soon as the plants appear sufficiently advanced in growth to 

 be drawn from the frames, which is when about an inch and a half 

 in height, and before they begin to run at all weakly, I prick them 

 out on a bed of compost prepared as above, observing, in dibbling 

 the plants in, to let the roots be tolerably firm-fixed in the 

 ground, leaving the little hollow on one side of each plant caused 

 by- the action of the dibble,* which allows the young plants to 

 receive and retain a greater degree of moisture, a desideratum at 

 this precise time most important to their existence, and which is 

 always mainly instrumental in their success. Should the weather 

 be dry, occasional waterings between the rows with a fine rose pot 

 must be given. It is an additional advantage to afford night- 

 covering with mats, by means of hoop-bends, at this early season, 

 until the plants are re-rooted and established ; for, notwithstanding 

 the Ten-week Stock partakes of the character of a hardy annual, 

 we must avoid exposing them to unseasonable severity ; or, as in 

 the case of infancy in ourselves, we may crush that life which 

 might otherwise have matured, and adorned society. 



I let the plants remain thus until they are set for bloom, and 

 the young buds are sufficiently developed to enable me to distin- 

 guish the "double" from the "single" plants, which is easily done, 

 the double presenting around, knobbed, full appearance, altogether 

 different from the single. The distinction in the first or earl v 

 show of the bloom will readily suggest itself to the most unin- 

 formed on the subject. I then select such of the double plants as 

 1 require for potting, and carefully remove each with a strong 



* The one I an it u common planting dibble, but nol Iron pointed 



