SENECIOS1LENESOLANUMS TOCK 263 



myriads of bright flowers, until frost puts a stop to them. Any good 

 soil which does not become pasty will suit, and full exposure to 

 sunshine is essential to the production of a rich display of colour. 



SILENE 



Catchfly. Hardy annual 



SILENES may be better grown from seed than from cuttings in every 

 case that can be thought of. It is well to sow-in August or September 

 the bedding kinds that are required to flower early, but for the rest a 

 March sowing is all sufficient. As the most useful sorts are perfectly 

 hardy, the only protection required in winter is against damp rather 

 than frost, and a cold pit or frame will suffice for those in pans and 

 boxes. The best soil for Silenes is that which is sandy and dry, still, 

 they will do very well in loam, provided the situation is not damp. 

 On heavy, damp clay lands, it is best not to grow Silenes at all, but 

 on dry, sandy spots, they may be planted out in autumn in the 

 beds in which they are to flower in the spring. 



SOLANUM 



Nightshade. Annual and perennial ; half-hardy 



SOLANUMS are of importance, some as greenhouse plants, and others 

 as sub-tropical bedders. They require good cultivation, and a 

 light, rich soil, being somewhat tender in constitution, and liable to 

 the attacks of the red spider. March is early enough to sow the seed, 

 but for ordinary purposes April is to be preferred. By the middle 

 of June, the plants will be strong enough to put out, and with genial 

 weather will make rapid progress. Those grown for their berries 

 may be sown from February onwards, as it is important to secure 

 bushy plants before they begin to flower, and an early start insures 

 an early ripening of their handsome berries. 



STOCK 



Mathiola. Annual and biennial ; half-hardy 



STOCKS comprise three divisions the Annual, which includes all the 

 Ten-week and Pyramidal forms ; the Intermediate, so excellent for 



