HOLLYHOCKS. 127 



thoroughly rotted manure, and in this to plant the roots, 

 singly, or in threes, after leaving the earth some clays to 

 settle. When the plants begin to grow well, mulch the roots 

 with light manure to protect them from drying winds 

 and to strengthen the flower stems. When the weather 

 is dry, water liberally once a week, train the stems to 

 stakes, tying them very loosely, and just top the flower 

 spikes. Cut down the stems as soon as the seed is ripe 

 and gathered, fork the ground, leaving the surface rough 

 to mellow, arid give a dressing of well rotted manure. 

 Before frost comes mulch with half decayed manure, 

 drawing it up to the roots to keep off frost, and manure 

 the surrounding ground. In a damp place, or if the 

 soil be too rich, the hollyhock will sometimes be struck 

 with sudden disease and die; in this case, renew the 

 earth before planting another, and make cuttings of any 

 healthy young shoots that can be saved. 



For cuttings take young shoots at the base of the 

 flower stems, plant them round the edge of a pot filled 

 with moist sandy loam, press the eart v close to the 

 bottoms of the cuttings, and fill up the holes. Place a 

 frame on a gentle hot-bed, and within the frame a layer 

 of sawdust five inches thick; sink the pot in the sawdust 

 nearly up to the rim, and give no water, or the cuttings 

 will damp off. Keep the frame shaded, arid open it a 

 little at the back for an hour every morning. In six 

 weeks or so they will show if they will grow, and then 

 they may have a little water, given with care, not to wet 

 the leaves. When the roots are grown, pot them off, 

 keep them shaded in a cold frame for a fortnight, gradu- 

 ally harden them to bear sun, plenty of air, and constant 

 moderate watering, and they will then be ready to plant 

 out, which may be done in the spring or in August. 



Large roots may be taken up after flowering, and 

 divided with a knife. Take care that each division has 

 plenty of root, and at least one good shoot, and plant 

 them in a place which is shady but not overhung, and 

 there let them remain until March. 



Save seed from the most double and finest flowers, 

 and keep it in a dry place until March. Sow early in 



