REMARKS ON THE HOLLYHOCK. 



293 



and I think it would be a very useful study to endeavour to imitate 

 them with plants of more rare and choice species. I was once much 

 struck by a particular effect, (not, however, of sufficient general in- 

 terest for a place in your Magazine,) produced by a plant of the 

 common hop ; and it was not until after many trials that I could find 

 a substitute for it among more choice plants ; at last, however, I suc- 

 ceeded to my own satisfaction by means of one of the genus Clematis; 

 the species I do not with certainty know. 



In small gardens, nothing can be more unpleasing than a want of 

 neatness and high finish ; it reminds me of a flower- painter of the 

 last century who used the most dingy and sombre colours that he 

 could find, saying that he imitated Raphael, and painted for posterity. 

 In the case of a small garden, it should be remembered that, whatever 

 may be the beauty of the design, constant attention, and the frequent 

 removal of plants are indispensable; three or four years of neglect 

 would leave nothing, either to posterity or the designer himself, but 

 a tangled and matted thicket of such plants as might come off con- 

 querors in the struggle for life, incident to want of sufficient space. 



ARTICLE IV. 



REMARKS ON THE HOLLYHOCK. 



BY CLEKICUS. 



The Hollyhock is an old acquaintance in this country, and one of the 

 noblest decorations of the flower garden, whether exhibiting its mag- 

 nificence in the garden connected with the Royal Palace or seen in 

 gradation downwards to that of the humble cottage. It has long been 

 much admired by myself, and having travelled much through Great 

 Britain, I have been increasingly delighted in my journeyings through 

 the country villages and the environs of our towns and cities to notice 

 the general admission of it to the gardens, and further to observe the 

 rapid improvement now made in the increase of fine varieties of good 

 form and decided colours of distinction. Such are the merits of the 

 entire class of hinds, that I think they deserve to be much more re- 

 commended and cultivated. In the improvement in character of the 

 flowers, I observe a class is progressing, having the outer, or guard 

 petals, of a fleshy substance, that is more firm than the flimsy poppy 

 like texture of others. 



