256 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



TEN WEEK STOCK. 



(MATHIOLA ANNA.) '' 



" Oh faint, indeed, are outward hues, 



Compared with thy rich mental light; 

 Each day thy thoughts their rays diffuse, 

 Yet grow each added day more bright." 



This is a beautiful annual variety of flowering plants, 

 bearing flowers of different colors nearly the whole season. 

 The stem is herbaceous, erect, and branching ; the leaves 

 lanceolate, blunt, and hoary ; the seed pods long, without 

 glands. Plants generally flower in te?i weeks after the seeds 

 are sown under favorable circumstances, and by sowing them 

 at different periods they may be brought to flower at almost 

 any season, in the green-house. It is sometimes called the 

 " Gilliflowcr" and of this genera there are a number of 

 varieties ; the best are the Brompton, Queen, Nosegay, and 

 many others of late introduction, some with Wall flower 

 leaf; the whole family will grow well in a sandy loam. 



The Stock is highly esteemed for its fragrance, easy 

 culture, and showy appearance in the flower garden, or in 

 pots, with the exception of the annual variety ; the others 

 will require protection through the winter, being biennial 

 in duration. 



It is the opinion of some botanists that the seed vessel 

 which produces the double variety is diseased ; this may 

 arise from local causes; consequently the flowers are de- 

 prived of the fructification necessary to propagate the spe- 

 cies. By-examining the flowers frequently a single anther 



