EAST LOTHIAN STOCKS

Evening Star, Issue 21689, 7 April 1934, Page 23

EAST LOTHIAN STOCKS

We are all familiar with the beautiful ten weeks stocks which annually play such an important part in the embellishment of our flower gardens, borders, and plots. The ease by which they can be reared and simplicity of their cultivation, combined with I hoii sweet perfume, ensures them a place in every garden. Perhaps not so generally known and cultivated is its near relative, the east lothian stock, which is hardier mid sturdier in growth and thus peculiarly well suited for bedding purposes, especially where neat and exact outlines are desirable. They require to be sown a good deal earlier than the ten weeks variety; in fact, the seeds are best sown now in preference to spring, providing they can be planted out in a very well-drained, sheltered, and sunny bed. Always use a sprinkling of lime among stocks as they are addicted to dub root.

East Lothian stocks attain a height of eighteen inches and branch freely, making nice symmetrical plants, every shoot terminating in a beautiful spike of flowers, many of which will be double if a food strain of seed is procured. If broen up lime rubble is procurable it is an excellent material to work into the plot intended for stocks.