AN HOUR WITH THE HOLLYHOCK. 313 



ample field for amusement in the crossing of the various 

 kinds with the view of obtaining novelties and improve- 

 ments. If this end be contemplated, we should advise a 

 separate plot to be set apart, however small, that he may 

 carry on his plans unmolested. Other advantages likewise 

 accrue from this arrangement. First, no shading is 

 necessary when growing for seed; it would, indeed, be 

 injurious. Then the finest varieties may be set together 

 beyond the fertilising influence of the inferior ones. 

 Again, the best situation for obtaining seeds is a warm 

 sunny border with a rather dry soil, but such is not the 

 most suitable for the production of large handsome flowers. 

 Perhaps we could not raise the question, "What constitutes 

 a good Hollyhock?" more opportunely than at the present 

 juncture ; for without a distinct conception on this point 

 much labour in hybridising will, to say the least of it, be 

 but ill-directed. 



Before discussing this point, I would offer, for the 

 consideration of my readers, the " Suggestions for the 

 Guidance of Exhibitors/' printed by the Committee of the 

 Grand Hollyhock Show held at the Surrey Zoological 

 Gardens in August last : 



" Quality, rather than the size of individual flowers or 

 length of spike, should be the first point of consideration. 



"The petals of the flowers should be of a thick 

 substance, the edges smooth and even. 



" The florets forming the centre or ball should be 

 compact, closely set, rising in the middle to the form of a 

 half globe, with a stiff guard petal extending about half an 

 inch around the base, or in proportion to the size of the 

 centre ball, so that the different parts of the flower may 

 have a uniform appearance. 



" The arrangement of the flowers on the spike should 

 be regular, not crowded together in a confused mass, nor 

 loosely hanging with open spaces between them, but 

 so disposed that the shape of each may be distinctly 

 seen. 



