70 
The Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners 
GIANT ENGLISH BROMPTON STOCKS. 
An exceedingly fine and useful class of Spring flowering plants of the old cottage garden type, producing large, handsome spikes of 
beautifully coloured and deliciously scented flowers in April and May. The seeds should be sown in May or early in June; sow thinly, 
and soon as the young plants are large enough to handle, prick them out about six inches apart on nursery beds in a sheltered position 
where they can remain during Summer. In September or October they should be planted out where intended to bloom in Spring. 
For this purpose some sheltered spot, as on a sunny border or under a South wall, should always be selected, as the plants are liable 
to suffer from severe frosts in early Spring if too much exposed. The plants grow about two feet high and should be planted eighteen 
inches or more apart. 
129 SIX CHOICE VARIETIES. Separate 
130 DARK BLOOD RED. Splendid colour 
131 SNOW WHITE. Very fine 
132 CARMINE. A beautiful colour . . 
8. 
2 
d. 
0 
133 
BRILLIANT ROSE. Splendid variety 
. . per pkt. 
s. 
0 
d. 
6 
0 
0 
134 
DARK PURPLE. Fine colour 
0 
6 
0 
6 
135 
CHOICEST MIXED ) T , A . r , 
1 
0 
0 
0 
136’ 
[ In beautiful variety 
>* ♦> ) J • • 
smaller pkt. 
0 
6 
Cultivation of Stocks. — These deliciously-sconted half-hardy 
annuals are amongst the most popular of all Summer bedding 
plants and they are deservedly given a place in both largo and 
small gardens. 
Ton-Week Stocks are easily raised from seed, but require 
careful treatment when in tho 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 bo 
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 cloarer 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 
tho 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 tho time the plants are required to bloom ; they aro 
best raised in a frame or greenhouse. Either shallow wooden seed 
boxes or pans may be used, and the seed can be somi either in drills 
lengthwise down the boxes or (in the case of pans) sprinkled lightly 
over tho surface, tho seed being sproad as evenly as possible. 
The soil used should bo rich potting mould finely sifted, and 
after sowing, the seed should be thinly covered with the same, 
keep the frame closo 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 largo enough to handle with safety they 
should be transplanted into boxes, allowing nine inches-betwecn each 
plant. 
They can then be gradually hardened off, but should be at first 
carefully protected at night from the frost. 
Give abuudance 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 thoy 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 ; theso will follow on in succession after those raised inside. 
Always be careful that the borders aro thoroughly trenched and 
given a liberal supply of decomposed manure before the Stocks aro 
planted. 
If possible, select showery weather for planting out, and be sure 
that tho 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 doublo 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 bo had 
in tho greenhouse during tho Winter months. 
WiinTER FLOWERING a T OCK — BEAU1 Y 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 beat is needed, but tho plants may bo grown on, and placed in a green- 
house or conservatory, where they will provide a splendid show of bloom in the early part of tho year. 
From Mr. R. PRATCHELL, Leytoustone. 
March 20tli. 
“ I enclose a photo of our bed of Stocks which were grown from your Seeds ; I 
thought you would be interested to know what can be done by amateurs. We had 
a grand display and numerous enquiries as to the seedsmen.” 
From Mr. J. GILBERT, baudon. 
March 21st. 
*' I should like to toll you that the Giant Stocks were the finest round here last year 
and could not be beaten.” * 
