32 
CULTURE OF STOCKS (MATHIOLA). 
cover them very lightly with fine mould, and place them on a south-east border 
until they are up. 
When they are an inch and a half high, thin them out to about six in a pot ; 
water as often as they require it, until they have advanced some height "above the 
rim of the pots, then lay a little fresh light loam so as to fill up the remainder of 
the pot to nearly the rim. 
In October, as cold weather advances, they must be placed in a frame, where 
they can be both sheltered from excessive heat and severe frosts. A dry bottom 
for the pots to stand upon is a great object in preserving them well through the 
winter. For this purpose prepare the frame as follows : — First place it in a warm 
situation opposite the south, and fully exposed to the sun ; raise it from the ground 
by laying a brick under each of the front corners, and two bricks under each of the 
back ones : this will give a good level towards the sun. Then proceed to place 
all round the outsides of the frame not less than a foot thickness of soil well trodden 
down, and raised nearly as high as the top. Next prepare the floor on which the 
pots of plants are to be placed, first by laying a good thickness of lime scraps, and 
on the top of that about as much coal ashes as when the pots are placed will leave 
their tops about six or eight inches from the glass. This floor will effectually pre- 
vent worms from penetrating, and also add much to the cleanliness of the plants. 
Elevating the frame also is far preferable to setting it upon the ground, as the 
frame is not so liable to rot, and the more the plants are raised above the level of 
the surrounding earth by a thick floor of ashes, &c, the more easily will they be 
kept from damp. 
They will require as much air as the weather will permit to be given ; water 
must be given very cautiously, and then only in fine weather and in the middle of 
the day, when the lights can be left off to dry up the dampness, or they will be 
liable to lose their leaves. Mat them down securely at nights in frosty weather. 
October Sowing. — These are intended to succeed the last. They are some- 
times sown in pots, and sometimes in the bed of a hotbed frame ; in either cases 
they require a little bottom heat. Raise a frame with bricks, as for the last, only 
place four bricks under the two corners at the back of the frame, and two under 
each of the front corners. Place the soil round the outsides of the frame as recom- 
mended for the last, but instead of forming a floor of lime rubbish and ashes, make 
up a bed of leaves or dung, tread it well down, and place on the top of it about six 
inches' thickness of ashes, on which place the pots containing the seeds. But if it 
is thought best to sow the seeds in the bed, it is only necessary to lay about six 
inches' thickness of light soil instead of ashes. Water sparingly, and give air 
plentifully through the winter, but secure from frost by mats, &c. Transplant into 
pots in spring, or otherwise as may be convenient. 
