30 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



deeply-cultivated soil is a simple necessity in the cultivation of the 

 Hollyhock. Stakes are very often placed in the ground before the 

 plants. By doing so, there is no after-harm possible to the roots, as 

 there is when not staked till required. The plants should be protected 

 from surface drought by a mulching shortly after planting. With a 

 properly-prepared border there ought to be no necessity to water the 

 plants during summer. When started into full growth, attention is 

 strictly required to keeping the flower-stalks loosely tied to the stakes 

 with broad slips of matting. Any varieties which may be considered 

 as possessed of qualities which would make their perpetuation desir- 

 able, should be cut over about the middle to the end of July, and the 

 flower-stalks cut up into single eyes, leaving a leaf to each bit of stem 

 and eye. It is hardly necessary to say that the flower-buds should be 

 removed when preparing the " eyes." When ready for insertion, boxes 

 may be filled with a sandy compost, into which the bits of stem are 

 placed ; or if a sufficiently large number are obtained, a cold frame 

 may be prepared by placing in it 3 inches of the compost, and in- 

 serting the eye-cuttings therein at once. When roots are produced, 

 prepare a frame for their reception during winter by placing a layer of 

 Mushroom dung in it, and over this a layer of pure soil ; plant the 

 rooted cuttings firmly in this, and keep the frames open to all weather 

 with the exception of frost or rain. The stools of the plants cut over 

 as above will push out young shoots ; these will strike if taken off 

 during winter, and placed in a cool house. Hand-glasses put over 

 them, further facilitates the process of rooting. The stools may also 

 be lifted and potted, kept in an intermediate temperature during winter, 

 and the shoots thus made taken off in the beginning of February, and 

 grafted on pieces of root. The pots are to be plunged in a moderately 

 brisk bottom-heat ; but coolness is necessary for the grafts. Free water- 

 ing is also necessary, and shading from direct sun. Directly growth 

 commences, transfer to cold frames, and shift into larger pots. 



R. P. Brotheeston. 



STRAWBERRIES IN AUTUMN AND WINTER. 



Perhaps there is no time in the year more suitable than the present 

 for saying a few words about Strawberries, when the minds of all 

 engaged in forcing this indispensable fruit will be directed to their 

 plants, in the way of getting ready, and introducing them into 

 heat for their spring supply. As to the autumn supply, there is 

 no reason why Strawberries should not be had the whole year 

 round. What is more appreciated than a dish of fine fruit, say, when 

 all other small fruits outside are done? That this can be accom- 

 plished I shall endeavour to show. Much depends upon when the 

 first supply is needed. But that is best known to the cultivators, 



