90 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



on the work so well begun by Mr. Baron. Chater, of Saffron 

 Walden, also produced some very fine varieties. Mr. John 

 Laing, then at Dysart, now of the firm of John Laing and Sons, 

 about forty years ago crossed the English varieties with high 

 very double centres, and scarcely any guard-petals to the flowers, 

 with the Scotch varieties, which had smaller centres and im- 

 mense guard-petals. The result of this experiment was a 

 considerable improvement on existing sorts. 



Soon after these great improvements, the Hollyhock disease 

 appeared, a fungoid growth (Puccinia malvacearum), which 

 fastens upon the under-sides of the leaves, and quite destroys 

 the softer part, leaving the naked venation, which is unsightly 

 enough. There does not seem to be any cure for it. In certain 

 positions in the garden no other flower is so effective as the 

 Hollyhock, but it has not been so popular in recent years as it 

 used to be, probably because of the difficulty in cultivating the 

 plants owing to the disease. If a clean stock of Hollyhock 

 plants can be obtained, say, in the autumn, they should be 

 wintered in frames, and the pots plunged to the rims in cocoa- 

 fibre or similar material. They are usually wintered in small-sized 

 flower-pots, and in the spring repotted in 5m. and 6in. size. 

 In April they may be planted out where they are to flower. 

 The Hollyhock is a very gross-feeding plant, and requires a rich, 

 deep soil. The ground ought always to be well-trenched and 

 manured during the winter, and it is usually in good condition 

 at planting time in the spring. Every practical gardener knows 

 the importance of keeping the soil in good condition by 

 trenching in the first place, and forking it over when dry enough 

 at intervals. 



It is a good thing when putting out the plants to have at 

 hand a barrow-load of good prepared compost, such as is used in 

 the potting-shed ; a little of it should be placed around the ball 

 of the roots, as the plants are turned out of the pots ; this gives 

 them a good start. A stout stick, standing some 6ft. out of the 

 ground, will be required, and it is best to put the sticks into the 

 ground at once and plant the Hollyhocks up to them, fastening 

 the stems to the sticks at the same time, in order that they 

 may be safe. The plants soon start into rapid growth, and 

 must be fastened to the sticks as growth progresses. As soon 

 as dry weather sets in, the plants should be freely watered,' 

 and some decayed manure placed around the base to prevent 

 evaporation. 



