2 SO GARDEN FLOWERS. 



hand, if we remove a single Stock from among hundreds 

 of others equally single, and of a strain which has no dis- 

 position to go double, that single one would not yield in its 

 progeny one more double variety for being planted among 

 a thousand double ones ; so that the common advice to save 

 seed from such single-flowered plants as grow near many 

 double ones is good for nothing, unless the single ones 

 come from the same " strain," and have the same disposi- 

 tion, as the double ones themselves ; that is to say, are of 

 the same progeny. In other words, the planting of a thou- 

 sand double stocks around a single one does not change 

 the nature of its seed : but the tendency to produce double 

 flowers is an inherent property brought about in certain 

 plants by careful culture and seed-saving, as all other floral 

 improvements have been ; and is not shared by other plants 

 though of the very same kind, which have not been influ- 

 enced in this manner. The single-flowered plants only bear 

 seed. The tendency to produce double flowers is sometimes 

 indicated by the production of flowers with more than the 

 usual number of petals (four) : and, when this is observed, it 

 may be taken as a favorable indication ; and such blossoms 

 should be marked, and their seed kept separate. The Ten- 

 weeks Stocks should be sown in March, April, and May, for 

 summer and autumn blooming plants : they may be sown in 

 boxes, in a frame, or on prepared sheltered beds ; when up, 

 give plenty of air, and no more water than is just enough to 

 keep them from flagging ; when they have formed six good 

 leaves, plant them out in a bed of rich soil, or pot them off 

 in rich soil, and give plenty of water until they bloom. For 

 earlier spring-bloom, they, as well as what is called the In- 

 termediate Stock, should be sown in August and September, 

 and wintered in pots in dry cold frames. The Brompton 

 and Queen Stocks may be sown in the open border, thinly, in 



