OF ORNAaENTAL PERENNIALS. 
81 
GENUS XVII. 
MATHIOLA, R. Br. THE STOCK. 
Lin. Syst. TETRADYNAMIA SILIQUOSA. 
Generic Cbaracter. — Siliquo roundish. Stigmas connivent, thickened or horned at the back. Calys bisaccate at the base. Seeds com- 
pressed, disposed in one series, numerous. (G. Don.') 
Description, &c. — The Stocks are so well known as to need little description ; but it perhaps is not generally 
known that the leaves of all the species are eatable boiled or in salad. The botanic name of Mathiola was given 
in honour of Dr. Mathioli, an Italian physician, who died in 1577. There are several species, but the most 
interesting are the annual or Ten-week Stock (M. annua), and the Queen or Brompton Stock (M. incana), 
which, though called a biennial, is rather a suflrutescent perennial, as it will last several years. Besides these 
there are several shrubby greenhouse species, well deserving of cultivation. 
MATHIOLA INCANA, R. Br. THE QUEEN OR BROMPTON STOCK 
Mathiola simpiici' 
SvNONYMES. — Cheiranthus incanus, R. Br. 
caiilis Swt. 
Engh/vvings. — Eng. Bot. t. 1935 ; 2nd edit. t. 947 ; and our_^^s 
1 and 2 in Plate 19. 
Specific Character. — Stem suffruticose at the base, erect, simple 
or branched. Leaves lanceolate, quite entire, hoary ; siliques some- 
what cylindrical, without glands. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — Few flowers are more improved by cultivation than this stock ; which some florists 
divide into two kinds — viz. : those with a single stem which are rarely above two fee* high, and which are called 
the Brompton Stock ; and those with branched stems, which are sometimes five or six feet high, and which are 
called Queen Stocks. Both are called biennials, but the Queen Stocks will sometimes last several years. 
Both kinds grow best in chalky or sandy soils ; the largest I have ever seen being at Greenhithe in Kent, in 
chalk, and at Shenstone near Lichfield, in sand. 
The best mode of propagation is by seeds, which should always be chosen from semi-double flowers ; or from 
such single flowers as have grown near double ones. Double flowers themselves, rarely produce any seeds ; 
as when they become double, the stamens and pistil are changed into petals ; but sometimes a stamen or two remain 
unchanged, the pollen from which may reach the single flowers near it, and the seedlings from plants thus 
situated will always be finer than any others. The seeds should be sown in April or May, in sandy soil, and 
somewhat shady situation, as they will become weak and yellow if exposed too much to the sun. The seeds 
should be sown as thinly as possible, either in circles or drills (the latter being at least six inches apart), and 
covered with earth, but not deeply, all that is required being to exclude the light. If the weather should be hot 
and dry, the plants may be watered at night, or in the morning ; but never in the middle of the day, unless care 
be taken not to wet the leaves. When the leaves are watered in the sun, they become discoloured and shrivelled, 
and consequently unfit to elaborate the sap ; and, unless the sap be properly elaborated, it cannot afford the 
nourishment necessary for the growth of the young plant. When the young plants are two or three inches high, 
they should be thinned out, leaving the plants in the rows about six inches apart ; and a month or six weeks 
afterwards, every other row should be removed, and every other plant in the rows that are left. The plants left 
will then be twelve inches apart every way, which is a good distance for them to flower. The plants removed 
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