266 THE CULTURE OF FLOWERS FROM SEEDS 



INTERMEDIATE STOCKS are most valuable for house and window 

 decoration in spring. It is easy to grow them in pots, if the protection 

 of a house or pit can be given during the winter to preserve them 

 from frost. A simple plan is to sow in August or early in September 

 five or six seeds in 48-sized pots, and plunge these in ashes under a 

 frame until March. Thin to three plants in each, and of course a 

 larger pot with more plants can be used when desirable. Give air 

 whenever possible, and water regularly. There is no need for 

 artificial heat, indeed it is not well to hurry the plants in any way. 

 A good top dressing of rich soil is advisable before flowering, and as 

 the buds appear, manure water, weak at first but gradually increased 

 in strength, may be given once a week until in full bloom. If seed be 

 sown in March the plants will flower in the succeeding autumn. 



BROMPTON STOCKS are remarkable for the size of their spikes of 

 bloom, and their striking appearance during May and June. They 

 do well under the shelter of trees and shrubs, and on cold soils this 

 position will save them from damage by frosts. In some seasons it 

 may answer to sow at once in blooming quarters, but the practice is 

 too precarious to be risked generally. A safer method is to sow in 

 June or July, in seed-pans. Place these under shelter until the plants 

 are an inch high, then stand them in the open for a week before trans- 

 planting. Have ready a piece of freshly dug soil, and on a dull day 

 put them out at eight to twelve inches apart. If the growth is too 

 rapid during September, it may be advisable to lift them and plant 

 again, for the winter must not find them soft and succulent. There 

 should be hard stems and sturdy growth to carry them through the 

 cold weather. In districts that are specially unfavourable, it may be 

 necessary to pot each plant singly in the 6o-size, and plunge these in 

 ashes in a cold frame, or under the shelter of a south wall, until 

 severe weather is past, and they can then be turned out into the 

 borders. 



We commend these beautiful Stocks to all who love hardy and 

 fragrant flowers. 



STREPTOCARPUS 



Cape Primrose. Tender perennial 



THE hybrids are a very striking race, invaluable for greenhouse and 

 conservatory decoration, producing a continuous succession of large 

 trumpet-shaped flowers, embracing colours ranging from pure white, 



