294 REMARKS ON THE HOLLYHOCK. 



These petals, too, are of even surface, wholly free from undulation 

 or frilling, and the edges are entire, not notched. The centre florets 

 are regularly congregated, and in form a half globe, this also of a pro- 

 portionate size to the diameter of the flower. Varieties possessing 

 these properties are now dispersing through the country, and may be 

 had of those nurserymen and florists who have taken a particular 

 interest in selecting kinds, and planting them distant from those of 

 an opposite character, and thus obtain seed, the produce of which 

 furnishes varieties of like properties, and giving increase of colours. 



It is desirable that more extended attention be paid to the selection 

 of kinds, and raising new varieties in the manner above named, and 

 this is just as readily done as in the case of the Dahlia, Asters, &c, 

 and the result not less satisfactory. 



A fine variety being obtained, it is readily increased and per- 

 petuated by division. The first season it blooms, it ought not to be 

 allowed to flower later than the end of August, but be cut down to 

 about six inches from the ground in order to induce the production 

 of side shoots, being headed down early, the lateral shoots become 

 strong before the winter sets in, and thus survive its severity, whereas 

 if allowed to bloom the entire period the plant would extend to, 

 there would, in most cases of the best double kinds, only be the bare 

 stem, or a late production of very small side shoots, which very rarely 

 survive winter. 



Seed should be sown either broad cast, or in drills ; in April, when 

 the plants are fit to transplant, they should be placed in rich soil, a 

 foot or more^apart, so that they are not choked hereafter by being 

 overgrown. 



The following season they will bloom, and then the selection may 

 be made, heading down superb sorts, &c. 



The time to increase those which were duly headed down is in the 

 first or second week in March, unless the weather be very severe. In 

 dividing the plant, the main stem and trunk of roots, is generally 

 readily divided, taking care to have a shoot to each part so separated. 

 When planted each should then be watered in order to settle the soil 

 round the fibrous roots. By some this attention may appear to be 

 too extended with the culture of the Hollyhock ; the bare magnificence 

 of the plant merits it, and much more so, to obtain, perpetuate, and 

 cultivate successfully those varieties, having the superior properties of 



