THE HOLLYHOCK. 325 



There are two seasons at which the seed may be sown; 

 first, in July, in the open ground, the seedlings to be trans- 

 planted or not according to the convenience of the culti- 

 vator ; and secondly, in October, in pans, to be potted 

 into single pots in November, and kept under glass till 

 planted out in April. If the seedlings sown in the open 

 ground are to be transplanted before flowering, October 

 is the best time, and next to that April. 



In planting out, whether from the ground or pots, a. 

 showery day should be chosen, and after planting, the 

 stems should be surrounded with a little stable manure. 

 If the weather or soil be dry, water copiously till the 

 flowering declines. The Hollyhock, with its large surface 

 of leaves and great perspiratory powers, consumes a great 

 quantity of water, especially at that period of its growth, 

 in June and July, when the leaves so rapidly increase in 

 size. So soon as the spikes rise from the crown of the 

 plants, stakes should be driven in at least 2 feet deep, and 

 allowed to remain the same height above the ground, 

 which is sufficient to hold any spike, and will not inter- 

 fere with the flowers. One, two, or three spikes may be 

 left to each plant, remembering, however, that the fewer 

 the spikes the larger will be both spikes and flowers. 

 Sometimes the flowers are so thick on the spike as to 

 interfere with the expansion of the guard petals. In such 

 cases thin out the flower-buds when about the size of a 

 nut. Tie up with strong bast from time to time as the 

 spikes rise. Top the spikes at any given height ; in 

 sheltered situations they may be allowed to rise to 9 feet, 

 but where much exposed to wind, 7 feet should be the 

 maximum. Shading is necessary if growing for exhibi- 

 tion, especially with the delicate-coloured varieties, which 

 quickly soil if exposed to sun, wind, and rain. Fortu- 

 nately this soiling is not sufficiently great to interfere with 

 the effect of the spike in the garden, and as shading is 

 troublesome and unsightly, it may well be dispensed with 

 except where growing for exhibition. 



