HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS 85 



this end he may decide to manure moderately. He will, however, 

 deepen his soil thoroughly, otherwise he may find himself at the 

 other extreme, and have such poor, weak, puny plants that handsome 

 flower spikes are impossible. The Hollyhock does not care for a 

 hot, dry, shallow soil. It loves a deep, cool, moist medium. Give it 

 a sunny position, however, by all means. Heavy shade from over- 

 growing trees is bad. If its requirements are met it will probably 

 push up flower stems six to eight feet high, packed with single, 

 semi-double, or double flowers, in a great variety of colours. 



The appearance of the fungus is shown in the presence of small 

 reddish, raised spots on the leaves, which are followed by the 

 shrivelling and falling of the foliage, and the death of the plant. 

 The spread may be checked by promptly picking off the affected 

 leaves, and immediately spraying the plants with " Bordeaux 

 mixture," which may be prepared as follows: 



RECIPE FOR BORDEAUX MIXTURE. 



(1) Dissolve one pound of bluestone (sulphate of copper) in a little water in a wooden or 

 earthenware vessel. 



(2) Slack one pound of freshly burnt quicklime in another vessel. 



(3) Stir the lime-cream and pour it, together with the bluestone solution, into a vessel 

 containing ten gallons of water. 



(4) Stir the whole mixture, and hold a steel knife blade in it for a few moments. If the 

 steel should discolour, add more lime-cream. If it remain bright, the mixture is safe. 



The mixture should be quite free from lumps. It is best applied through a spraying 

 syringe, that spreads it in a fine, dew-like state, in which condition it adheres. When 

 applied through the rose of an ordinary syringe the liquid falls in a comparatively heavy 

 shower, and runs off quickly. The application may be repeated if necessary. 



/rises. One of the most richly painted of our garden flowers, 

 the Iris also presents us with great diversity of height, habit, and 

 cultural requirements. It is an indication of the change in popular 

 taste in respect of flowers that while nowadays the Iris has special 

 books devoted to it, the index of the original edition of a famous 

 standard work does not include it, although we find under " I " Itea 

 virginica and other insignificant things. The charm of the Iris 

 is irresistible. It appeals by grace and quaintness of form, hand- 



