174 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
September onwards. The Emperor is a robust strain of the 
latter stock, and the Cocardeau or Giant Cape is another 
vigorous kind, which flowers freely in autumn. The Brompton, 
Queen and Wallflower-leaved stocks are biennials, and 
require to be reared from seeds sown in boxes of light soil in 
a cold frame in July. When the seedlings are large enough 
to handle transplant them 2 or 3m. apart each way in other 
boxes till they get fairly strong, then plant them out in 
sunny beds or borders in mild districts ; or singly, in 3-in. 
pots, and keep in a cold frame till March, in colder districts. 
These stocks require a firm and not over rich soil. In rich 
soils they make sappy growth, and are easily injured by frost. 
The plants flower the following summer. There are two or 
three interesting species which are worth growing by those 
who have plenty of space. These are M. bicornis, bearing 
purplish-red or lilac flowers, fragrant at night only ; M. tri- 
cuspidata, pale purple ; and M. tristis (Night-scented Stock), 
white or purple, fragrant at night. Sow seeds of the first- 
named and treat as advised for the Brompton stock. M. tricus- 
pidata may be treated as advised for Ten-week stock ; and M. 
tristis sow in heat in March and plant out in May ; or in 
July outdoors and plant out in autumn to flower the next year. 
Before we leave the subject of stocks it may be well to point 
out that good seeds of these flowers cannot be saved from 
home-grown plants. This is especially the case with the best 
double-flowered kinds, good seeds of which only can be ob- 
tained from the Continent. 
Meconopsis (Indian Poppy). — Hardy biennials and 
perennials, belonging to the Poppy family (Papaveraceae). 
The species named below are very handsome and showy border 
plants. The Common Welsh Poppy (M. cambrica) is a well- 
known perennial species, growing 1 to 2ft. high, having pale 
green pinnate foliage and yellow poppy-like flowers borne in 
summer. A good kind for growing on old walls or banks, or 
naturalising in the wild garden. The other species are bien- 
nials. They are M. aculeata, purple, summer, 2ft., N.W. 
India; M. nepalensis, golden-yellow, large, summer, 3 to 5ft., 
Himalayas; M. Wallichii, pale blue, summer, 4 to 6ft., Hima- 
layas. The three last named require to be grown in sunny 
sheltered positions, in a deep, well-drained, sandy loam, well 
enriched with rotten dung and leaf-mould. Sow seeds in 
cold frame in spring, and either plant out the seedlings in 
their flowering positions in May, or grow them on in pots till 
the following spring, and then plant out. In some districts 
the three species named will assume a perennial character, 
but it is safer to rear fresh plants annually. The Welsh Poppy 
