MATRICARIA 65 



of culture, but M. fragrans is the better plant. Sow in heat 

 in March, placing each seed in a small pot, harden off and 

 plant out in June about i foot apart ; a moist yet sunny 

 position gives the best results. 



MATRICARIA 



'^ May Weed" 



Matricaria inodora {Composites) is a native weed, but cultiva- 

 tion has so altered it that its double forms are of considerable 

 usefulness in the garden. Two fine varieties are in cultiva- 

 tion, and both deserve wide culture, as they are excellent sub- 

 jects for bedding or for grouping in herbaceous or shrubbery 

 borders. These are Bridal Robe and Snowball, Both have pure 

 white, double blooms ; the former variety is about i;^ foot high 

 and the latter 2 feet to 2^ feet high. Bridal Robe I have seen 

 growing in quantity in not a few large gardens, but the most 

 remarkable display that has come under my notice was at 

 Messrs. Watkins & Simpson's trial grounds at Feltham a 

 year or two ago, where a large breadth in full bloom could 

 be likened to nothing better than a mass of freshly fallen 

 snow, the whole being wonderfully even and of dazzling white- 

 ness. In my own garden I have to be content with a few 

 small groups, raised from seeds sown in gentle heat in April. 

 Six or eight inches apart is a good distance to plant the 

 seedlings in May after they have been fully hardened. 



MATTHIOLA 



" Stock " 



A garden of any pretension without its summer-flowering 

 Stocks is almost unthinkable. Stocks are splendid plants, 

 and a vast amount of time and care have been expended upon 

 their selection and improvement. Many continental firms 



