108 DA VET'S PRIMER 



Here are some of Mr. Walker's hollyhocks. Oh, 

 my! what beauties! One plant was 12 feet 7 

 inches high! ("good luck!" you see) and the 

 colors ! Why, you should have seen them ! They 

 were jet black, pure white, red, pink, yellow, buff, 

 lilac, and shades hard to name. They were double 

 and single, and, oh! such leaves! big as great cabbage 

 leaves. 



In this picture Mrs. Pontifract, her daughter and 

 two nieces are regaling themselves among these 

 gorgeous flowers. 



The hollyhock has many enemies, and is subject to 

 what is called " rust," but those who love this majestic 

 flower may get some "pointers" from Mr. Walker. 

 He understands the habits of the enemies of this plant 

 pretty well, and is a day ahead with hellebore, slug- 

 shot, or some "preventive"; but the great secret of 

 all is the deep, rich soil in which they are planted, and 

 the constant cultivation and abundance of \vater in hot 

 weather. I am of the opinion that a great deal of 

 what is called "rust" comes from allowing the leaves 

 to shrivel for the want of water. 



In all plants, whether it be trees, flowers, garden or 

 field crops, it must be borne in mind that you cannot 

 get a good top unless you have a healthy root. 



Lest people should get a wrong idea, I will remark, 

 that you can easily give too much water. If the beds 

 be made deep and rich^ like Mr. Walker makes them, 

 there is need of but little water until the plants are in 



