60 
The Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners 
GIANT ENGLISH BROMPTON STOCKS. 
An exceedingly fine and useful class ol Spring flowering plants ol 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. 
r. d. I s. d. 
88 SIX CHOICE VARIETIES. Separate 
89 DARK BLOOD BED. Splendid colour 
90 SNOW WHITE. Very fine 
91 CARMINE. A beautiful oolour . . 
. . per pkt. 
2 0 
0 6 
0 C 
0 fi 
92 BRILLIANT ROSE. Splendid variety 
93 DARK PUR PLE. Fine oolour ... 
94 CHOICEST MIXED' 
95 
* j In beautiful variety 
. . per pkt 0 6 
.. „ 0 6 
10 
smaller pkt. 0 6 
Cultivation ol stocks.— These deliciously-scented half-hardy 
annuals are amongst the most popular of all Summer bedding 
plants and they are doservedly 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 oare has been devoted to the improve- 
ment of Stooks, both with regard to increasing the size of the 
individual flowers as well as the spike, and to the introduction of 
much clearer oolours. It is now possible to grow them in every 
shade of oolour from pure white to deep crimson and purple. 
When planted in dumps of distinot oolours 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 oase of pans) sprinkled lightly 
over the surface, the seed being spread as evenly as possible. 
The soil used should be rich 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 inohes between each 
plant. 
They oan 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 oareful 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 day*. 
In planting out seedling Ten-Week Stocks, with a view to 
scouring 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 ooarse forked roots invariably produce 
tho 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. 
Wll.TEr.-rUOWERINO STCCK-BEAUTY of nice, 
WINTER-FLOWERING AND INTERMEDIATE STOCKS.— This is a very useful class for Winter blooming. Tho 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 neodod, but the plants may be grown on, and placed in a green- 
house or conservatory, whero they will provide a splendid show of bloom in the early part of the year. 
From LADY O’BRIEN, Maynooth, Ireland. 
June 6th. 
“The Brompton 
Stocks I had from your seed last year are beautiful.” 
From Mr. H. HARRIS, Burton -on -Trent. 
March 6th. 
“I got four Firsts for your Stocks last year grown from your Seed.” 
From Mr. E. SAVAGE, Chichester. 
June 3rd. . , . , , . . 
“I would like to say the Brompton Stooks I had from you last year have been 
•plendid. I have never had liner blooms.” 
From Mr. R. NOWELL, Dalton-in-Furncss. 
Oct. 16th. 
“I won First with Stocks grown from your Seeds last year.” 
