TIIE 1I0LLYII0CK. 1^9 



Our small remaining space must be devoted to a few of the Irids. The genus Ins is m itself, 

 a host; but we can only now notice the splendid English Iris,/. Xipl^dcs, and the , striking 

 Spanish Iris, I. XipMum. The colours of the first are now exceedingly varied and brilliant ; 

 and when in bloom, nothing can surpass the effect of a large group. The Spanish Ins are rather 

 dwarfer,and are remarkable for the curious olive tints which prevail in many varieties Both 

 species hould be planted as early as possible, as the roots are injured by being kept long out of the 

 .round Li»ht rich soil. The beautiful I. susiana requires a warm border and light soil, to make 

 it flower freely Of the Crocus we need only remark, that most of the new varieties are much 

 superior to those commonly grown, both in the size and colour of their blossoms The Gladwlus 

 deserve a more lengthened notice than we can now afford them. The new hybrids of Gandavensis 

 are anion- the most magnificent of the summer and autumn bulbs. The most striking are those 

 of French origm-Courantii fulgent, bright crimson red; Mademoiselle Fanny Rouget bright rose, 

 with violet feather; Monsieur Blouet, rosy salmon, very large and open; Madame Couder, clear 

 carmine, are four new varieties, which, although charged very high in London, may be got in 

 Paris of Vilmorin, for about one franc each. They are quite hardy, but may be planted as late 

 as M'arch The varieties of ramosus are no less beautiful ; they are not quite so hardy as the pre- 

 ceeding but, as they succeed well when planted in spring, this is of little importance. Most 

 of the varieties have the white feather, which is so striking in cardinalis ; in others, however, this 

 is replaced by a carmine stripe. One of the newest of this class is the variety Mademoiselle 

 Sosthenie Desjardins, with large well formed flowers, of a pale flesh colour, the three lower 

 divisions being beautifully marked with rosy-carmine. Oscar is a very brilliant flower, not unlike 

 ignesecns in colour, but liner. The varieties, are however, already so numerous, the French, Dutch, 

 and English Florists having all originated many beautiful seedlings, more or less distinct that we 

 could easily fill a page or two with their names alone. A selection of the best will be found at 

 pa-e 150 of our first Volume. It is not unusual to plant ramosus and its hybrids m autumn, as they 

 commence their growth early; but as this involves some amount of protection, it is often more 

 convenient to defer planting until February or March ; even then, in severe weather, a layer of 

 leaves will be necessary. The varieties of cardinalis are stiU earlier, and must be either potted 

 in autumn, and protected in a frame, or planted thickly in the open ground, with a good covering 

 of fern or furze, or a hand-light. The culture of the Gladioles is so simple, and new varieties 

 are so readily obtained, that the amateur need not be dependent on the professional Florist for 

 his supplies. The possession of a few of the best varieties, as a starting point, is all that is 

 necessary for originating seedlings, which may equal, in all points, the most expensive novelties. _ 



We may observe, that all the spring-flowering bulbs we have named in the foregoing 

 pages may be grown in pots for the window. The point on which success hinges is, that the 

 roots should be formed slowly, at a comparatively low temperature; a result obtained by 

 allowing the pots containing the bulbs to remain out of doors for at least six weeks, or 

 even longer, subsequent to planting; this will retard the development of the leaves and 

 flower stems until the pots arc filled with roots, when they may be removed in succession to a 

 warm window. This applies to the Hyacinth, Crocus, Snow-Drop, Dwarf Fritillary, Narcissus 

 of every kind, Leucojum, Persian Iris, Squills, Dog's Tooth Violet, Winter Aconite, and Oxahs. 



THE HOLLYHOCK. 



The history of Floriculture presents us with few more striking examples of the improvements 

 the Florist's art is capable of effecting, than in the case of the Hollyhock. The change is, indeed, 

 so great, that it is difficult to recognise the former coarse, scraggy occupant of the shrubbery in 

 the magnificent spikes of brilliant-tinted flowers which are now the admiration of all. The 



