MARCH 333 



thinning the seedlings while they are small. They should ultimately 

 be left about one foot apart. 



SCHIZANTHUS. An elegant class of half-hardy annuals, which can 

 be grown as specimens for the conservatory, or in quantity for open 

 borders. Sow in gentle heat, and pot on the seedlings. 



SENECIO SPECIOSUS is a half-hardy perennial of great beauty and 

 value, both for the greenhouse and for beds. Raise the seed in a 

 temperature of about 60; and when the plants are bedded out, give 

 them a position exposed to full sunshine, where the bright magenta 

 flowers will be seen to advantage to the end of the season. 



SOLANUM. For a succession of the berried varieties sow again in 

 heat, and make a sowing of the ornamental foliaged kinds for sub- 

 tropical gardening. The latter are rather more tender, and need a 

 somewhat higher temperature than the former. They must all have 

 liberal culture to bring out their fine qualities. 



STOCK, TEN -WEEK. Within the past few years Annual Stocks 

 have obtained a marked increase of favour. In part this is no doubt 

 attributable to the growing appreciation manifested for all kinds of 

 flowers. But it is traceable in a still greater measure to the augmented 

 purity, brilliance, and variety in colour of modern Ten-week Stocks, 

 as well as to the enhanced reliability of seed in producing double 

 flowers. A certain proportion of single blossoms there will always 

 be, even from seed saved with the highest skill. It is well this 

 should be the case, for double Stocks produce no seed, and the race 

 is perpetuated by single flowers. We need say nothing of its per- 

 fume, for this is a quality which the most unobservant can scarcely 

 fail to appreciate. 



Although the Ten-week Stock is half-hardy it must not receive 

 the treatment of a tender annual; indeed, one of the most important 

 points in growing it is to avoid any excess of artificial heat. A little 

 assistance at the commencement it must have, but the aim should be 

 to impart a hardy constitution from the moment the seedlings appear. 

 We are not advocating reckless exposure to chill blasts, but the neces- 

 sity of giving air freely whenever there may be a fair opportunity 

 The best of seed-beds can be made in pans or shallow boxes filled 

 with sweet sandy soil. In these sow thinly, so that the young plants 

 may have abundant room. Even a little apparent wastefulness of 

 space will be repaid by stout and vigorous growth. From the middle 

 to the end of the month is a suitable time for sowing. 



VERBENA. It is possible to raise Verbenas in the open air from 

 seed sown in drills on light soil, but the attempt is a little hazardous. 



