12 glexny's handbook 



annuals, biennials, and perennials, but, excepting the Holly- 

 hocks {A. rosea and JicifoUa), of little horticultural import- 

 ance. Common garden soil. Propagated, the annuals and 

 biennials by seeds, the perennials by division of the root. 



Althaa rosea (Hollyhock.) — The Hollyhock is a noble 

 flower, and the varieties are becoming so numerous and so 

 much improved that it is an established favourite. It is 

 raised from seed, and multiplied by parting the roots — the 

 former to produce new varieties, the latter to propagate 

 old ones. In autumn the old plants must be dug up and 

 parted, each heart being separated with a portion of root to 

 it. These are to be planted out in a nursery bed one foot 

 apart, or they may be planted at once where they are to 

 bloom. They will stand three years, or even more, if a large 

 plant and a number of spikes of flower be the object. Even 

 in parting them they need not be divided into single hearts, 

 unless increase is desired. Choice varieties may be increased 

 by cuttings of the flowering stems, every leaf, with a portion 

 of the old stem containing a bud, being capable of forming a 

 plant if treated as a cutting. They are best planted at the 

 back of borders, or in the midst of shrubs, the plants being 

 in no way interesting ; but the flower-spikes, which are pro- 

 duced at the upper part of the stem, are very noble objects. 

 The variety of colour afl'orded by this plant is now consi- 

 derable, and some varieties are very rich and distinct : they 

 bloom from the latter part of July to September. For 

 varieties of Hollyhock consult the newest trade catalogues. 

 For exhibition the plants are grown in an open situation, and 

 are topped at the height they are required. When they are 

 coming into flower they are freely moistened with liquid 

 manure instead of water. The buds are thinned out so that 

 the flowers shall not be too close, and shaded from the 

 extreme heat of the sun. The garden varieties now amount 

 to some hundreds. 



ALYSSUM. Madwokt. [Cruciferse.] Dwarf hardy 

 perennials or sub-shrubby plants, A\ith cruciferous flowers. 

 A. saxatile is very suitable for rockwork, or the front part of 

 a flower-border, and forms a beautiful spring-blooming bed 

 in the flower garden : it is increased by cuttings. Good 

 garden soil. The herbaceous species are propagated by divi- 



