414 Genet^al Notices. 



plants. I invariably stop the laterals, at two joints beyond the fruit ; this 

 prevents confusion, and, provided the natural temperature be properly 

 attended to, tends to expedite the setting of the fruits. I hold it to be good 

 policy, during this critical period, to occasionally sprinkle the interior of the 

 frame, taking care, however, not to wet the foliage, and shut down with a 

 temperature of 85 degrees. Having secured the number of fruit which I 

 deem sufficient for each plant to carry, and which ought not to exceed four, 

 I pursue a different mode of treatment, with regard to air, water, &c. I 

 am not an advocate for an abundance of air, as recommended by one of 

 your correspondents some time ago. I consider that the less air is given, 

 without injury to the plants, the better ; and when given at all it should be 

 liberally applied in the morning, say from seven to half-past ten or eleven 

 o'clock, being guided, however, by the state of the weather. At the 

 above-named hour, if the sun is very powerful, I decrease the air about one 

 half, and apply calico, or some other light material, as a shading for a few 

 hours, during the middle of the day. With regard to water, I cannot lay 

 down any definite system for the guidance of others ; the operator must be 

 left to exercise his own judgment in this matter. 1 generally sprinkle the 

 plants every afternoon in favorable weather, and maintain a temperature of 

 95 to 100 degrees. By pursuing the foregoing method, I never fail to 

 obtain an abundant supply of good fruits, and generally two crops from the 

 same plants. — {Gard. Jour., 1848, p. 340.) 



The Hollyhock and its Culture. — The cultivation of this magnificent, 

 though much neglected eastern plant, is of great antiquity. Its majestic 

 height, and splendid flowers, could not fail to attract the attention of our 

 earliest collectors. It cannot be exactly stated when it was first introduced 

 into this country, but Dr. Turner speaks of it as a favorite plant in 1564, 

 and Gerard, in 1597, who says that it was sown in most gardens. These 

 two authors spell it " Holyhock," and Parkinson "Hollihocke." Mor- 

 timer, in 1707, in his work on husbandry, retains the old Saxon name 

 Holyoak. 



The hollyhock grows wild in various eastern countries. Pliny describes 

 it as a rose growing on stalks like the mallow ; and Miller informs us he 

 received seeds from Istria, where it was gathered in the fields, which pro- 

 duced single red flowers ; whereas, from seeds produced from Madras, he 

 raised plants with double flowers, of many different colors. It is also a 

 native of the Marootzee country in Africa. 



There are few flowers that contribute more to the embellishment of large 

 gardens than this much neglected plant. Its hardy nature and easy propa- 

 gation have rendered it thus ; and, in my opinion, it yields to no flower for 

 grandeur and beauty. When properly attended to, it is a desirable orna- 

 ment in the borders of the pleasure ground and shrubberies, giving gaiety 

 to all around, with its noble stalks, like so many floral banners garnished 

 with roses of almost every hue, as rose, palest blush, deepest carmine, pure 

 white, yellow, richest orange, the dark and light chestnut, pale and deep 

 reddish purple, and lastly, richest velvety black. The neglect which has 

 attended the cultivation of this and many other old associates of our gar- 



