2 94 Encyclopaedia of Gardening 



friable loamy soil. The annuals are propagated by seeds, the 

 shrubs by cuttings, and the perennials by division. 



Stenactis. See Erigeron. Stenactis speciosa is the same as 

 Erigeron speciosum, a good hardy herbaceous plant. 



Stephanotis (stephano-tis, from Stephanos, a crown, and otos, an 

 ear, in reference to the ear-like protuberances on the stamens. Ord. 

 Asclepiadeae) . A small genus, important only as containing the 

 .beautiful white, fragrant hothouse climber floribunda, which is so 

 popular as a cut flower (see the Botanical Magazine, t. 4058). The 

 Elvaston variety is perhaps superior to the common type. The 

 Stephanotis is not difficult to grow, and is best planted out in a bed 

 of turfy loam, with sand, and a third each of decayed manure and 

 peat. The site should be one from which superfluous moisture can 

 drain freely. It loves water, both at the root and overhead, in 

 summer, and vigorous syringing will go a long way towards keeping 

 mealy bug under; it should be done after gathering any flowers 

 that may be wanted for wreaths, etc. Less water will be needed 

 in winter, when a temperature of 55 to 65 will suffice. Go over 

 the plant in winter and thin out weak and crowded growths; old 

 "wood may be shortened. A vaporising cone should be burned in 

 the house occasionally. Propagation is by cuttings in bottom heat, 

 choosing pieces of side shoot, and inserting in pots plunged in 

 bottom heat and kept close. 



Stereum (Silver Leaf). See Fruit Plum. 



Sternbergia (sternber-gia, after Count Sternberg. Ord. Amaryl- 

 lideae). See Bulbs. 



Stipa, Feather Grass (stl-pa, from stipe, feathery. Ord. Grami- 

 neae). Hardy perennial Grasses, the most popular of which is 

 pennata, the Feather Grass, which grows about 2 ft. high and 

 flowers in summer. Elegantissima is good. They will thrive in 

 ordinary soil, and are easily raised from seed sown out of doors in 

 late spring, or in a greenhouse or warm frame in winter, to be 

 hardened before being planted out. 



Stock, Virginian. See Malcomia and Annuals. 



Stocks, Brompton, Intermediate, Ten-week, etc. These are 

 among the most popular of garden and greenhouse flowers. The 

 Brompton Stock, Matthiola incana, is a hardy biennial ; for culture, 

 see Biennials. The Ten-week Stocks, M. incana annua, are half- 

 hardy annuals; for culture, see Annuals; these may be subdivided 

 into hoary-leaved (ordinary type) and smooth green (Wallflower- 

 leaved). The Intermediate and East Lothian Stocks are splendid 

 for pots, and if sown in summer, pricked off, potted, and repotted 

 into 5 or 6-in., will bloom well in spring in the greenhouse. Crimson, 

 scarlet, purple, and white are procurable in separate colours. They 

 grow 12 to 1 8 ins. high. The Emperor Stock may be grown in the 

 same way. They may be sown in spring for autumn bloom. 



Stocks, Fruit. See Fruit. 



