70 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 



formed at the sides of the old ones. In potting, which should be 

 done about the middle or end of February, the bulbs ought to be 

 assorted, keeping the flowering-bulbs by themselves. These should be 

 potted, say in 6-inch pots, which is a very useful size for general 

 decorative work. Five or six bulbs may be put into each pot ; and 

 of course, if large specimens are wanted, large pots should be used, 

 and bulbs put in in proportion. The smaller bulbs may then be 

 potted in 4-inch or 6-inch pots, as may be most convenient, putting 

 in a number of bulbs according to size of pots or size of bulbs — and 

 these can be grown on for future flowering. 



The soil best adapted to their wants consists of fibry loam and 

 peat in equal quantities, with a good dash of sharp sand and a 

 little fine old manure incorporated with it, or failing this a handful of 

 ground bones. The plants must not be over-watered until they begin 

 to make fresh growth ; but after they are fairly on the way, and 

 throughout the summer, they must get an abundant supply. 



From the end of May and onwards, they will do very well in a 

 cold pit or frame, kept near the glass, and a moderate supply of air 

 given every day. They will flower during the autumn months from 

 the end of August. Some cultivators repot the bulbs as soon as 

 they have done flowering, and keep them growing on during the 

 winter, only with a lessened supply of water during the dull winter 

 months. I consider it to be more a matter of routine than any- 

 thing else whether they be potted in autumn or early in spring. I 

 have tried both ways, and could see no material difference, only 

 that being repotted into fresh soil in autumn, they required some- 

 what more careful looking after throughout the winter, and it may 

 be that they will come into flower a little earlier ; but they are less 

 liable to come to harm if wintered in the pots in which they had 

 flowered, which, of course, are full of roots, and will stand a greater 

 degree of cold with impunity. They will winter safely in a tempera- 

 ture of about 45°. J. G., W. 



THE HOLLYHOCK. 



Any one who has a stock of Hollyhocks should now propagate as many 

 as he can. If the old stock plants had been lifted in the early part 

 of winter, potted and placed where a little growth has been made 

 since, they will, during the beginning of this month, be in the 

 proper condition to manufacture into plants by root-grafting. The 

 way to do this is to get some healthy Hollyhock roots, preferring those 

 with growing rootlets, and cut up as many as are required. Then take 

 off the offsets with as much stem as can be got ; prepare these first by 

 cutting the stem half through, and slit the stem up, removing the half 

 of it up to the cross-cut ; then select a root of as near as possible the 

 same thickness, and cut it to fit into the stem of the graft. Run a pin 



