AN HOUR WITH THE HOLLYHOCK. 319 



obliquely at the lower end, and completely buried beneath 

 the soil, leaving the foot-stalk only protruding above ; 

 they should then be placed in a close frame, and the eyes 

 quickly push through the soil, and form stout healthy 

 plants. These when rooted may also be transferred to 

 single pots, there to await transplantation in autumn or 

 spring, as before recommended. 



Propagation by division is best carried out in autumn, 

 immediately that the flowering is over. A large well- 

 ordered plant may sometimes be divided into several, but 

 in general three or four is a more advantageous number. 

 Nothing certainly is gained by breaking the old plants 

 into too many pieces : every separate part should carry 

 with it a good share of roots. Seedlings and others that 

 may bloom late cannot be divided till the spring. March 

 is perhaps the best time, and the fragments, if not broken 

 too fine, will flower well during the first autumn. 



Propagation by grafting may be performed to greatest 

 advantage in spring. Dig up any old plants not valued 

 for blooming, and cut off the fleshy roots about the thick- 

 ness of the little finger into inch or two-inch lengths. On 

 these graft the young shoots, inserting the place of 

 junction beneath the soil, giving to each a separate pot, 

 and placing them in a close cold frame, This mode of 

 propagation we describe, but do not recommend. Plants 

 raised from cuttings or seeds are certainly preferable. 



It is but the few who grow for exhibition, but they are 

 often the most ardent cultivators ; and we must say a few 

 words on this subject ere we conclude. 



There are two modes of exhibiting Hollyhocks 

 by single flowers, and spikes. Some cultivators have 

 advocated the withdrawal of prizes for single flowers, 

 and depending on spikes alone. It is freely admitted that 

 the exhibition of spikes creates a greater display, and 

 affords a truer idea of the nature and properties of the 

 flower. On this ground, then, we admit the desirableness 

 of encouraging this mode of exhibiting, but doubt whether 



