98 VILLA GARDENING part i 



in pots may save them by digging them up and laying them by 

 the heels, slantingly, in a warm dry border. In April they 

 may be replanted in freshly -prepared land, and will be all the 

 stronger and better for the change. Offsets with little bits of 

 roots attached may often be foimd in spring in sufficient numbers 

 to keep up a small collection. But the Hollyhock, like the Rose 

 and all other florists' flowers, must be constantly in course of re- 

 newal ; i.e. young plants must in some form be propagated every 

 year to take the places of those plants which die or become weakly. 

 Propagating from Cuttings. — This is a very easy matter when 

 one knows how to set about it. The side shoots, which spring 

 from the lower part of the main flower si)ike or stem, make excel- 

 lent cuttings when they are just getting firm, which is about the end 

 of July. I have rooted these cut to single eyes, and planted them 

 in a shady border ; but to make good work there ought to be a 

 covering of glass. If large numbers are required they should have 

 a frame or pit to themselves. If only a few are required, a hand- 

 light or cloche will do. I like to have the frame set on a hard 

 bottom, with inclination facing the north. Place a thin layer of 

 old rotten manure in the bottom ; about 2 inches thick will be 

 enough, and beat it flat with the spade ; on this put 3 inches of 

 light sandy compost, and a quarter of an inch of clean sand on the 

 top ; press it down moderately firm, making it smooth at the same 

 time, and, about a couple of hours before the cuttings are inserted, 

 water with a fine-rosed pot. The object of the layer of manure is 

 to keep the base of the cutting moist without having to use the 

 waterpots beyond a mere surface sprinkliug till the cuttings are 

 rooted. The side shoots, as I have said, make excellent cuttings 

 when about half ripe, which is usually about the time the first 

 flowers are opening, or say from the last week of July till the end 

 of August, according to situation and locality. The shoots are cut 

 into single eyes, leaving a couple of inches of tlie stem at the 

 bottom, which is thrust into the prepared bed up to, but not quite 

 burying, the eye. The piece of stem below the eye is of great 

 value, as it steadies the bud in the soil, and affords support till 

 roots are formed. The leaves will of course be removed, but it 

 is a good plan to leave an inch or so of the leaf stalk. All the 

 cuttings of one kind can be made and inserted in the bed in rows 

 3 inches apart, with about 2 inches of space between each, before 

 any other kind is begun with, placing a label with each sort. Where 

 a large number of varieties are grown, some care is requisite to 

 keep them separate. When the cuttings are all in, keep the frame 

 close, shading if necessary on bright days, and sprinkle lightly when 

 the sand ajipears dry. The cuttings will soon begin to grow, and then 



