136 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



tion as many others of higher reputation, but of less in- 

 trinsic merit, for when they flower, nothing more is re- 

 quired than watering when necessary, and the beauty of 

 the flowers possesses all the requisites desirable to enchant 

 our admiration. It would be a great improvement to place 

 moss on the top of the pot which would give the flowers 

 a better contrast, and take off the rough appearance of the 

 soil. 



HOLLYHOCK. 



(ALTILEA B.OSEA.) 



" Thy long lost praise thou shalt regain : 



Dear shalt thou be to future men, 

 As in old times ; thou, not in vain, 

 Art Nature's favorite." 



This is an old but one of the most beautiful deciduous 

 biennials of our flower garden, flowering from July to 

 September. It is a native of China, and is of the Marsh 

 Mallow tribe. Before the Dahlia mania became so great, 

 it was the most attractive border flower in England ; still, 

 however beautiful the Dahlia may be considered, the Hol- 

 lyhock has not lost any of its ornamental beauty, for let 

 the season be rainy or dry, this flower still retains its 

 beauty and vigor. Not so with the Dahlia. Fashion may 

 have reduced the demand for this plant, but its beauty is 

 still pre-eminent, and will retain its place in the heart of 



