306 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



454. Botanical characters. Stocks are annual, her- 

 baceous plants, bearing the flowers in an open, terminal 

 raceme. The flowers are white, rose, crimson or purple, 

 and very fragrant. The lighter shades are most in 

 demand. 



Habitat. Mediterranean region. 



455. Commercial importance. Stocks are extensively 

 grown, especially for cut-flowers in late spring. They 

 are in considerable demand for Memorial Day. 



456. Culture. The culture of stocks is much like 

 that of antirrhinums, except that stocks are always propa- 

 gated by seed, and several sowings are made during 

 the year. The first sowing should be made in July, and 

 this should be followed by sowings in September, Novem- 

 ber and January. By so doing, a succession of bloom 

 may be had from November throughout the year. 



LUPINES 



457. Botanical classification. Order, Leguminosae ; 

 genus, Lupinus (from the Latin lupus a wolf, because 

 a crop of Lupines was supposed to destroy the fertility 

 of the soil). Species most commonly grown under glass : 

 mutabilis; nanus, variety albo-coccineus ; Hartwegii; 

 hybridus, various varieties. A variety called the Pink 

 Beauty is now commonly grown (Fig. 31). 



458. Botanical characters. Lupines are annuals or 

 herbaceous perennials, with very showy, pea-shaped, blue, 

 white, yellow or pink flowers, produced on a close ter- 

 minal spike. They have clean, handsome, divided foliage. 



Habitat. North America and the Mediterranean 

 region. 



459. Culture. The annual lupines have but recently 

 come into favor as greenhouse plants, and they are grown 



