STOCK. Ml 



island of Madeira ; it blossoms from March to May : when 

 the flowers first open, they are white, sometimes inclining 

 to yellow ; in a few days they become purple ; hence this 

 species has been termed mutabilis^ or changeable. This 

 is of quick growth, and may be increased by cuttings, taken 

 as soon as the plant has done flowering : they should be 

 housed in the winter. 



Some persons increase the QueenVstock in the same 

 manner, planting the cuttings in March or April in pots 

 three or four inches wide ; in the middle of May they re- 

 move them into pots five or six inches diameter, and in 

 July or August into full-sized ones, that is, eight or ten 

 inches ; but though these cuttings will generally root, 

 they do not make such handsome plants as those raised 

 from seed : it is not, therefore, worth while to practise this 

 method unless to preserve some fine double flowers. These 

 flowers love the sun ; but care must be taken to supply in 

 the evening the moisture which has been exhausted during 

 the day. It will be observed, too, as an invariable rule, 

 always to place a plant in the shade when newly potted, 

 and to let it remain there till rooted. 



There are other species of Stock, but these are the most 

 desirable. There is a Cheiranthus, called the C. Qua- 

 dranguluS) a native of Siberia, which was introduced into 

 the Paris garden by Jean Jacques Rousseau. The flowers 

 are sulphur-coloured and sweet. It is propagated by seeds, 

 and thrives in the open air, but does not last many years. 



Garcilasso speaks of them as worn in the hair : 



" Loosely flow her golden locks ; 

 If she stays them 'tis with jasmines, 

 Chains them, 'tis with pinks and stocks." 



In this country, ladies seldom adorn themselves with 

 natural flowers, and yet we' have many that would bloom 



