60 THE NEW GARDENING 



clean, because then the spores cannot develop. As stated 

 under Carnation, the liver of sulphur crystals must be 

 perfectly fresh, and used at the rate of one ounce to three 

 gallons of water. There are no signs of an active revival 

 in Hollyhock-growing. Gardeners have learned to do 

 without the plant, and have had proof of how vulnerable 

 it is. Theoretically they support it, in practice they 

 ignore it. But I think that with plain garden culture and 

 systematic spraying those who love this grand old flower 

 might restore it to their borders with confidence of a 

 reasonable reward. Meanwhile, there is nothing to be said 

 about new varieties, because there is neither demand nor 

 supply. 



HYACINTHS. In greenhouse and room the Hyacinth 

 is fully as important a flower as either the Daffodil or the 

 Tulip, but it is woefully behind as a garden plant, and 

 it is almost entirely neglected as a border flower. The 

 reasons are obvious : the plant is dumpy, its beauty is 

 short-lived, and a widespread opinion prevails that it is 

 only a one-season plant. But the Hyacinth has never had 

 a fair chance of proving what it can do, because gardeners 

 have bought the small, cheap, " bedding " bulbs, and 

 given no special attention to the moisture-supply, which 

 is vital to success in Hyacinth-growing. With good first- 

 size named Hyacinths offered at three shillings per dozen 

 there is no serious obstacle to planting a class of bulb 

 which is generally reserved for pots and glasses, and if 

 the use of these was followed up by giving copious 

 supplies of water and liquid manure in March and April 

 (liquid manure only if there was a good deal of rain) I am 

 confident that the results would astonish and delight the 

 grower. It is true that the Hyacinth is not a lasting 

 flower, but its duration is equal to that of most of the 



