324 THE HOLLYHOCK. 



The Hollyhock flowers naturally in August, but by a 

 little management the bloom may be prolonged, and con- 

 tinued from July to November. Old plants that have 

 bloomed the year before will bloom the second year in 

 July and August. Cuttings taken and rooted, or seed 

 sown out of doors the previous summer, will bloom in 

 August and September. Seed sown in pans as soon as 

 ripe, and wintered under glass, will bloom in October of 

 the following year. By using these three sorts of plants 

 a succession of flowers may be kept up. If an early 

 bloom only is required, old plants must be planted ; if a 

 late bloom, young plants and seedlings. 



In planting for effect we would always recommend 

 planting three or more of the same sort close together in 

 a group, choosing the clearest and most distinct colours, 

 and those which produce the densest and broadest spikes. 

 When growing for exhibition the form of the flower is 

 of course the primary point for consideration, and here it 

 is usual to plant in lines 3 or 4 feet apart, that the culture 

 of the plants may be more carefully and more conveniently 

 attended to. There are some sorts which are alike suit- 

 able for exhibition and garden decoration, but both objects 

 can scarcely be attained conjointly. But as to culture, 

 the Hollyhock is not particular in regard to soil ; it will 

 grow and flourish almost anywhere. The finest spikes we 

 have yet seen were grown on a strong moist loam that 

 had been deeply trenched, richly manured, watered in dry 

 weather, and well cultivated by frequent and deep hoeing. 



Cuttings of Hollyhock, single eyes taken in July and 

 August, and placed round pots in a cold frame, will root 

 in a month, and may be placed in single pots and stored 

 in a cold frame through the winter, repotting into larger 

 pots in February, and planting out in April. Seed should 

 be saved from the best formed, the smoothest, and the 

 most double varieties only, and to insure a fair crop of 

 seed it is necessary to pull the flowers from their stalks so 

 soon as the former begin to decay. 



