276 THE HOLLYHOCK. 
these seeds produced single red flowers only, whereas from the seeds 
procured from Madras he raised plants with double flowers of many 
different colours. 
We have but few flowers that contribute more to the embellishment 
of large gardens than the Hollyhock, although their hardy nature and 
easy propagation have rendered them so common that hitherto they 
have been much less regarded by the generality of florists than they 
deserve, since it yields to no flower for the grandeur and beauty of its 
appearance, as well as variety of colours, which embraces all the shades 
of the Rose from the palest blush to the deepest carmine, and from a 
pure white the yellows are equally numerous, until they reach the 
richest orange, from which the colour is carried on to a dark chestnut : 
others are dyed of a pale reddish purple, running up to a black. 
The noble stalks which these plants send up, like so many floral 
banners garnished with Roses, render the Hollyhock particularly 
desirable for ornamenting the backs of flower borders ; in giving gaiety 
to the shrubbery in corners, wildernesses, in the sun or in the shade, 
they will tower above ordinary things and display a continued suc- 
cession of flowers until frost warns the floral goddess to depart. 
But if they are to be grown well, as show flowers, and the splendid 
varieties recently originated highly deserve the most liberal treat- 
ment, they must be planted in rich loam, have plenty of room, and be 
sheltered from high winds, though not deprived of air or sun. Distant 
hills, trees, high walls, or fences keep off the wind ; and it will be of 
advantage if the benefit of such shelter can be had without going so 
near as to shade them. If planted out in November, the roots soon 
establish themselves, although the tops make little progress until winter 
is over. After sharp frost, when the ground becomes light and spongy, 
the plants require to be examined, and the soil pressed close round the 
crowns. Nothing more is required, further than keeping them clean, 
until spring, when the flower-stems begin to rise ; a good top-dressing 
of rotten manure will then be found to strengthen and assist the growth 
much more than any after-treatment can produce. The proper distance 
for planting is about three feet every way ; and if they are grouped 
together, instead of being in one continuous row, there is a much better 
chance of giving variety to the seed. As the growth advances, if the 
weather is dry, they will require copious waterings. When the plants 
begin to open their flower-buds, not more than about ten or a dozen 
of the lower ones should be allowed to remain on each stem, the rest 
being cut off with the stem at that part. The advantage gained by 
this, apparently so destructive act, is to cause the blooms left on to 
come large and all open at once, increasing the effect that is produced 
by high cultivation and excitement. Any plants which put forth more 
than one spike of flowers should have all but the strongest immediately 
removed. The best way to propagate any particular varieties is, at the 
end of October or beginning of November, to take up the old plant and 
part it with a strong knife into as many parts as there are crowns, pre- 
serving a small piece of root to each. These pieces should be all planted 
about eighteen inches apart, and left one season to strengthen; or if they 
are required for ornament, and nothing occupies the place, they may at 
