3o8 AN HOUR WITH THE HOLLYHOCK. 



to obtain as fine a development as possible ; but when 

 growing to produce effect in the garden, the object is more 

 thoroughly obtained by the dwarfer growth and greater 

 body of colour produced by three or more spikes. To those 

 lovers of flowers who object to the Hollyhock on account 

 of the height to which the flower stems rise we would 

 suggest a remedy. Instead of one, two, or three spikes, 

 encourage four, five, or even six to rise, and when they 

 have reached an approved height cut their tops off, and 

 the habit of the plant will be entirely altered. If one 

 spike is fixed in the centre and left taller than those which 

 surround it the effect is highly pleasing. Beyond this there 

 are many varieties naturally of a dwarf and bushy habit. 

 The most of the leading modern kinds commence the 

 formation of flower buds at about two feet from the 

 ground. If the situation be at all exposed the spikes 

 must be tied to stakes at an early period, the first tie 

 may be advantageously made at the height of about 

 fifteen inches. At this period of growth the wood of the 

 stem is soft, and the tie should be made with a broad band 

 of bast not twisted, and so made that it will slip up the 

 stake as the stem rises. As the stem cannot be drawn 

 close to the stake without injuring the flowers, two stakes 

 will be necessary where one stem only rises from the plant. 

 The stakes should be placed opposite, and the stem 

 brought between them, so that the three objects form a 

 straight line ; pass the bast round the stem of the plant, 

 drawing it to the one stake, and perform the same opera- 

 tion a few inches higher up, tying in the opposite direction, 

 and so on, tying to each stake alternately as the stem rises. 

 When two or three stems rise from one plant three stakes 

 will be necessary, and they should be placed triangularly, 

 tying as before. 



It is a peculiarity of the modern kinds to produce the 

 flowers so close together on the stem that some must be 

 removed or the whole become crowded, and press each 

 other out of shape. It is therefore a good plan to remove 



