54 Commercial Gardening 



Hibiscus africanus major (also known as H. Trionum). A beautiful 

 hardy annual, 2 ft. high, with Mallow-like leaves and flowers, the latter 

 being 2 in. across, yellow, with a purple or deep-violet centre. 



Holeus mollis variegatus. This is a beautiful grass plant, forming tufts 

 of soft downy leaves striped with green and clear silvery white. It is 

 effective as an edging plant, and is much used in some public gardens. It 

 is easily increased by division in autumn or in spring. H. lanatus albo- 

 variegatus appears to be identical. 



Hollyhock (Althcea rosea). More than three hundred years ago the 

 Hollyhock came from China, and is still a garden favourite. One time, 

 indeed, before other beautiful hardy rivals became common, great attention 

 was given to the improvement of the Hollyhock, and specialists will recall 

 such names as Chater, Bircham, Baron, Paul, Roake, and the Rev. Edward 

 (afterwards Lord) Hawke as amongst those who took particular interest 

 in the plant. In the middle of the nineteenth century the '60's Holly- 

 hocks were at every exhibition, and were as popular then as the Sweet 

 Pea is to-day. Owing to the great demand for the plant, it was propa- 

 gated with the utmost speed in hothouses from seeds and cuttings, wdth 

 the result that the constitution of a perfectly hardy plant was undermined 

 and weakened. The plants throughout the kingdom and also on the 

 Continent fell a prey to the terrible Hollyhock Disease (Puccinia mal- 

 vacearum), which still appears in places every year, blistering the under 

 surface of the leaves with its raised brown or yellowish pustules. The 

 Hollyhock was therefore rendered hors de combat for many years, because 

 the spread of the disease could not be checked. Consequently it dropped, 

 and its place was taken by other plants in the meantime. 



At the present day a great trade is done in the young plants in spring. 

 These are raised from seeds sown the previous April or May, and when 

 large enough are transplanted in rows about 1 ft. apart every way, in 

 fairly good garden soil, and in open sunny situations if possible. Where 

 a trade is done in particularly fine varieties, these are usually propagated 

 by cuttings of the sturdy non-flowering side and basal shoots during the 

 summer months. They are inserted in sandy soil in pots or pans or frames, 

 gently watered in and shaded from strong sunshine until established, when 

 they are allowed plenty of air and light. The tufts of old plants may also 

 be split up into pieces, each having portions of root attached. Grafting 

 of special varieties on to common stocks used to be practised, but in these 

 days it would not pay for the trouble. Besides these methods it is possible 

 to raise and flower Hollyhocks from seed the first year. The seeds should 

 be sown in rich gritty mould in January and February in a temperature 

 of 65 to 70 F. They soon germinate, and when large enough to handle 

 easily are pricked out about 3 in. apart in boxes, or placed singly in 3-in. 

 pots. They are grown on rapidly for a time, but are eventually hardened 

 off gradually with plenty of air and a cooler atmosphere so as to be ready 

 for sale in May. 



For garden decoration, as bold masses in the border or in beds by them- 



