striped Flowers 329 



Nevertheless, tliej^ are only reproduced by seed 

 from single flowers, being an annual or bien- 

 nial species. 



Stocks are a large family, and include a won- 

 derful variety of colors, ranging from white 

 and yellow to purple and red, and with some 

 variations toward blue. They exhibit also di- 

 versity in the habit of growth. Some are an- 

 nuals, including the ten-week and pyramidal 

 forms; intermediates are ordinarily chosen for 

 pot-culture; and the biennial sorts include 

 the well-known '' Brompton " and ''Queen " 

 varieties. Some are large and others are small 

 or dwarf. For their brightness, durability and 

 fragrance, they are deservedly popular. There 

 are even some striped varieties. Horticultur- 

 ists and amateurs generally know that seed can 

 be obtained from single stocks only, and that 

 the double flowers never produce any. It is 

 not difficult to choose single plants that will 

 produce a large percentage of double blossoms 

 in the following generation. But only a per- 

 centage, for the experiments of the most skilled 

 growers have never enabled them to save seed, 

 which would result entirely in double flower- 

 ing plants. Each generation in its turn is a 

 motley assembly of singles and doubles. 



Before looking closer into the hereditary pe- 

 culiarities of this old and interesting ever-sport- 



