DOUBLE STOCKS. 
189 
German stocks, which were as fine as it is possible to conceive, 
producing for the first two or three years a large proportion of 
double flowers. Every succeeding year, however, I continued 
to obtain a less and less proportion of the much-desired double 
flowers, and notwithstanding every attention to changing the soil 
and securing strong plants, they grew worse and worse, till I was 
compelled to relinquish them altogether. It is an old saying, 
that stock seed should be saved only from plants standing near 
a double one, but as I have always been particular in following 
this rule, I must confess I have not much faith in it. There is 
another remark that appears more reasonable, namely, that seed 
should be preferred from plants which show a disposition to be¬ 
come double, by producing more than the natural number of 
petals; but this would limit the supply of seed to a very small 
quantity, and I am inclined to be of opinion, that more depends 
upon the time of sowing and planting than at first may appear 
probable, and I should therefore feel obliged for any practical 
observation bearing on that part of the question; and also as 
regards the land,—whether ground in a high state of culture, or its 
opposite, is most likely to produce them double ? whether changing 
the seed from one part of the kingdom to another would have 
the desired effect ? an improvement, I know, attends the exchange 
of culinary productions, and I am disposed to think it may be of 
benefit in this instance. And again, has the form of the root 
anything to do with it,—some having fibrous roots, and others 
running directly downwards with few or no ramifications ? 
Trusting the subject may not be undervalued, but that every one 
who has anything really of consequence to communicate on the 
subject will have the liberality to do so, and thereby confer a 
benefit on the public. I am, &c., 
J. T. 
We insert our correspondent’s inquiry at length, because his 
case is that of hundreds who suffer disappointment annually; 
nor, so far as we are aware, can any very satisfactory explanation 
be offered. Our own case, however, is an exception ; we are of 
the fortunate class, never having to complain of a paucity of 
double flowers, though often vexed at the small size of the plants. 
