AN HOUR WITH THE HOLLYHOCK. 317 



end of the stem die off, the petals should be drawn from 

 the calyx, to prevent moisture from gathering round the 

 seed-vessels, which would injure, if not destroy, the seed. 

 Hand-picking is, perhaps, the best way of accomplishing 

 this ; and if the petals are ready to be separated, they will 

 yield to a slight pull with the finger and thumb. Crossing 

 may be repeated day by day, as the flowers expand, until 

 we reach the top of the stem. The plants should be 

 watered freely during the formation of the seeds ; and as 

 the latter ripen (the shrivelling of the calyx is a tolerably 

 correct test of fitness) they may be gathered and tied in 

 coarse muslin bags, separately or not as the cultivator 

 may please, and placed in a dry, airy, sunny situation 

 With such as flower late the spikes may be cut from the 

 plants and placed upright in a greenhouse, or under a 

 south wall, where the seeds will ripen better than if 

 detached from the stem. The seeds first gathered may 

 be sown immediately, as there will be time for them to 

 germinate and become strong before the commencement 

 of winter. The bulk of the seed, however, cannot be 

 sown to advantage before the spring ; and early in 

 February is perhaps the best time if flowers are required 

 the same season. In both cases we would sow thinly in 

 pots, placing them in a pit or house where they would 

 command a gentle bottom heat ; and so soon as four or 

 six leaves are formed the seedlings should be transplanted, 

 four round a 4-inch pot. Those raised in autumn may 

 remain in a cold frame during winter, or if in a greenhouse, 

 they should be placed close to the glass, exposed to air 

 and light. Watch closely for slugs, and remove any 

 leaves that may decay. In April they may be transferred 

 to the spot where intended to flower; and to do them 

 justice they should not be planted closer than two feet 

 from row to row, and one foot from plant to plant. They 

 should be watered and hoed frequently during the summer, 

 and tying up can scarcely be dispensed with. They will 

 flower in September and October of the same year ; and 



