A YEARS GARDENING 



large sprays, which are useful as " everlastings," as they retain their 

 colour well when cut and dried. 



STENACTIS. See Erigeron. 



STEPHANOTIS. There are several species of this genus, but 

 S. floribunda is the only one in general cultivation. It makes an 

 excellent climber in the greenhouse, producing fine clusters of wax- 

 like, sweet-scented white flowers. Planted in a well-drained bed 

 of good loam it will thrive without much attention in a cool house, 

 and may be propagated by cuttings made in spring from the previous 

 year's wood. 



STERNBERGIA. A hardy bulb, blooming either in autumn 

 or spring, according to kind, and well fitted by the firm texture of 

 its fe)wers to withstand the assaults of the weather. A hght sandy 

 loam is the soil best suited for it, and it should be left undisturbed, 

 if possible, throughout the summer, so as to allow it to ripen for the 

 next flowering. S. colcMciflora is a variety which blooms in autumn, 

 though the leaves appear in spring. It bears flowers of pale yellow 

 colour and sweet fragrance. S. lutea, which is supposed by some to 

 be the LUy of the Field of the Bible, is also autunm-flowering; S. 

 augusii folia is a more vigorous and free-flowering form of that species; 

 while 5. Fischeriana chiefly differs by flowering in spring instead of 

 autumn. The handsomest of the family is 5. macrantha, sending 

 up fine broad leaves during the summer and coming into bloom in 

 autumn with flowers of brilliant yellow. 



ST JOHN'S WORT. See Hypericum. 



STOCK. {See also Mathiola.) It may be convenient in these 

 notes to divide Stocks into three grcMps — ^the Ten- Week Stocks, the 

 Intermediate or East Lothian Stocks, and the Brompton and Queen 

 Stocks. The Ten- Week Stocks are half-hardy annuals and should 

 be sown in shallow pans or boxes under glass, diuring the latter half 

 of March, in good sandy loam, and the seedlings transplanted as 

 soon as they will bear it into light, friable soil. Care should be 

 taken to sow thinly, and every endeavour made to give the plants a 

 hardy constitution; and this being done they may be expected to 

 flower continually throughout the summer and autumn. The 

 German growers have produced an immense variety of kinds, in 

 which there axe some good distinctive colours, such as crimson, 

 purple, and white, while the English strain, known as Pyramidal, 

 is excellent both in form and colom: and is valuable for providing 

 autumn-flowering sorts. The Intermediate or East Lothian Stocks 



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