116 



ALTHJEA. 



"And from the Nectaries of Hollyhocks 

 The humble bee, e'en till he faints, will sip." 



The humble, or bumble bee, as it is usually called, 

 revels in this flower and is generally found in great num- 

 bers extracting the honeyed sweets from its nectaries, to 

 the great amusement of naughty boys, who take wicked 

 delight in confining the poor bee, by infolding it in the 

 flower for the pleasure of hearing him sing. 



Althaea rosea, the Chinese Hollyhock, is a very hand- 

 some plant in its double varieties, and continues in beauty 

 during July and August. It flowers the second year 

 from seed and the year following, and then dies ; but if 

 the stalks are cut down in August of the second year, by 

 dividing the roots carefully with a sharp knife and plant- 

 ing them out in a warm, light soil, they may be continued 

 from year to year ; or they may be raised from cuttings 

 of the young stalks, about six inches in length, taken in 

 summer. They should be inserted half their depth, and, 

 if a glass be placed over them, it will facilitate their root- 

 ing. Plants so raised, will flower early the following sum- 

 mer. Seed saved from fine improved double varieties, 

 will generally produce a large proportion of double flow- 

 ers ; this is the easiest, and most sure method of obtain- 

 ing plants. The seed should be sown in May or June, 

 half an inch deep, and when the plants have put out six 

 or eight leaves, they should be transplanted to the place 

 where they are to remain. If the soil is very moist and 

 wet, they are subject to be much injured or destroyed in 

 winter; hi that case, it is a safe way to take them early in 

 autumn, pot them and preserve them in frames until 

 spring. Only the choicest varieties will pay for this 

 trouble. The Hollyhock succeeds best when planted in 

 light, rich soil, that has been well drained. There is no 

 flower which makes a greater show, when planted in mas- 



