THE FLORIST. 



be left open towards the north to admit the air ; light varieties, on 

 the contrary, especially whites and yellows, cannot be shut up too 

 close. 



Hollyhocks do not generally require shading for longer than a 

 we< k or ten days previous to an exhibition. Before the shade is 

 put on, it must be determined how far up the spike the flowers will 

 be fully expanded by the day of exhibition, and all above that point 

 must be cut off, in order that the spike may have time to close neatly 

 over the top, and be shewn in full bloom to the summit. To prevent 

 a tall spike from being swayed about by the wind, and chafed against 

 the shade, it may be effectually secured in its place by passing a bit 

 of tape round the stalk, and fastening each end to one of the hoops. 



In conclusion, as these observations are only intended for the 

 amateur, it has not been thought necessary to describe the method 

 of propagating the Hollyhock by means of eyes, now so much in 

 vogue with the Nurserymen ; or to say any thing about dividing the 

 old roots, plants raised from cuttings as above recommended being 

 so much stronger and superior in every respect. Propagation from 

 eyes ought to be adopted only with new or scarce varieties, where as 

 large an increase as possible is an object ; and on this subject we 

 may perhaps venture to remark, that if tne Nurserymen consult their 

 own interest, they will pursue some plan to enable them to supply 

 better and stronger plants than they have hitherto been in the habit 

 of sending out. G. H. 



PLANT CULTURE. 



I am glad to learn that the present year's Florist is to contain a series 

 of articles on this subject by so eminent a grower as Mr. William 

 Barnes. This is a step in the right direction ; and with so much 

 matter to work upon, I hope he will not be sparing of his labours. 



I have at various times suddenly found myself in a garden where 

 stove and greenhouse-plants were mixed together in indescribable 

 confusion, as though the idea of one plant requiring a different tem- 

 perature and treatment from another was logic too absurd to be 

 held. With some, I think it almost impossibfe they can ever think 

 at all on the subject ; and it is no uncommon circumstance for those 

 who are accustomed to travel amongst gardens and gardeners, to 

 find plants receiving treatment the very opposite of what they should 

 have. The result is, that pot-bound, miserable, and starved examples 

 meet us where health and beauty should abound. I have in the 

 same day witnessed such a scene of desolation, and have turned ad- 

 miringly to a collection of well-grown and fully- developed plants, and 

 how great the contrast ! How sad to reflect that those gems of the 

 earth were so maltreated and misunderstood ! 



It is not only in the gardens of amateurs that I have witnessed 

 these misdeeds, but I have seen them also in nurseries, where we 

 expect to find better things. I have seen wholesale mismanagement 

 in our leading nurseries. Plants receiving treatment directly oppo- 

 site to what it should be, or rather receiving no treatment at all, but 



