70 
The Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners. 
GIANT ENGLISH BROMPTON STOCKS. 
A fine strain of Spring-flowering varieties of the old cottage garden type, producing grand spikes of large, double, finely- 
scented flowers. May and June are the best months for sowing. 
110 SIX CHOICE VARIETIES 
120 DARK BLOOD RED .. .. .. ... por pkt. 
121 SNOW WHITE .. .. 
122 CARMINE 
R. d. | s. d. 
2 
0 
123 
BRILLIANT ROSE 
mm 
„. per pkt. 0 
6 
0 
6 
124 
DARK PURPLE 
«.• 
... „ 0 
6 
0 
6 
125 
CHOICEST MIXED 
... 
... 
... 
1 
» 
0 
6 
126 
»> »» 
.. 
— 
... 
smaller pkt. 0 
6 
Cultivation of Stocks. — These deliciously-scented half-hardy 
annuals are amongst the most popular of all Summer bedding 
plants and they are deservedly given a place in both large and 
small gardens. 
Ten-Week Stocks are easily raised from seed, but require careful 
treatment when in the seedling stage, as they are liable to damp off 
if over-watered and kept close, but if they are given an abundance 
of air and kept moderately moist, nothing need be feared and sturdy 
plants are assured. 
During recent years much care has been devoted to the improve- 
ment of Stocks, both with regard to increasing the size of the 
individual flowers as well as the spike, and to the introduction of 
much clearer colours It is now possible to grow them in every 
shade of colour from pure white to deep crimson and purple. 
When planted in clumps of distinct colours on borders or in 
separate beds, Ten-Week Stocks form most attractive subjects, and 
the perfume is so delicious that after a shower of rain a bed in full 
bloom will fill the garden with its delightful odour. 
The seed may be sown at any time from February to June, 
according to the time the plants are required to bloom, they are best 
raised in a frame or greenhouse. Either shallow wooden seed boxes 
or pans may be used and the seed can be sown either in drills 
lengthwise down the boxes or (in the case of pans) sprinkled lightly 
over the surface, the seed being spread as evenly as possible. 
The soil used should be rioh potting mould finely sifted, and 
after sowing, the seed should be thinly covered with the same, keep 
the frame close and shaded until the seeds have germinated, when 
a little air should be given and the amount gradually increased as 
the plants gain strength. 
When the plants are large enough to handle with safety they 
should be transplanted into boxes, allowing nine inches between each 
plant. 
They can then be gradually hardened off, but should be at first 
carefully protected at night from the frost. 
Give abundance of air during the daytime, and after about three 
weeks or a month they should be ready for planting out in the 
positions in which they are to bloom in the border or beds. 
When a succession of flowers is desired, a sowing of Stocks should 
be made in the open border when strong sturdy plants will be raised ; 
these will follow on in succession after those raised inside. 
Always be careful that the borders are thoroughly trenched and 
given a liberal supply of decomposed manure before the Stocks are 
planted. 
If possible, select showery weather for planting out, and be sure 
that the plants are thoroughly watered into the ground and kept 
shaded during the middle of the day for the first few days. 
In planting out seedling Ten-Week Stocks, with a view to securing 
the largest number of double flowers, preference should always be 
given to those with a good share of fine fibrous roots, even if the 
plants are somewhat weaker ; we have found from long experience 
that those having coarse forked roots invariably produce the largest 
percentage of single blooms. 
By sowing the seed in July and potting the seedlings in single 
pots and growing on in a frame, a good display of bloom may be had 
in the greenhouse during the Winter months. 
WINTER-FLOWERING STOCK— BEAUTY OF NICE, 
WINTER-FLOWERING AND INTERMEDIATE STOCKS. — This is a very useful class for Winter blooming. The seed should be sown in July and 
the plants potted on into 5 inch pots, placing 3 plants in each pot ; no artificial heat is needed but the plants may be grown on, and placed in a green- 
house or conservatory, where they will provide a splendid show of bloom in the early part of the year 
BROMPTON STOCKS. — Sow the seed in May in boxes and plant out the seedlings in a sheltered border, where they may grow on all Summer, and in 
August and September transfer to their blooming quarters. It is sometimes the practice to move the seedlings straight from the seed bed to the positions 
they are to permanently occupy. Brompton Stocks are most excellent foi furnishing a show of flowers in the gardens in Spring. 
From Mr. W. BEARD, Garran. 
June IMtli. 
“ Tlie Brompton Stocks we had last year have heon splendid — such magnificent 
colours." 
From Mr. F. SMITH, Rumburgh. 
June 1st. 
“ I should like to say here that I have a grand show of Brompton Stocks from” a 
sixpenny packet of Seed I bought. They have been on bloom about a month, and 
look as fresh as ever, and quite 80 per cent, are double.’* 
We beg to intimate that we cannot 
From WILLIAM BIGGS, Esi„ F.R.H.S., Bcxleyhcath. 
Sept. 15th. 
“ Whilst writing I would like to mention the fact that I have never had finer Stocks 
than those I grew Irom your Seed this year. I had a Is. packet of your Giant Perfection, 
and only had 7 singles out of about 100 plants, and I took the measurements of the 
plants when they were in their prime. They were as under : — 
“ Height of plant, 4 ft. inch. Length of bloom stem /'from flower to flower) 2 ft. 
8 inches. This is a very fair average for the majority of the plants." 
“break” packets quoted in this list. 
