1853.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 299 



Ingrowing so tall. Each stem should have a separate stake, which needr® 

 cy° not be more than three or four feet above ground ; stake them before 

 / they get very high, and secure them well by tying, and they will 

 grow erect. In dry weather they will be greatly benefited by liberal 

 supplies of w^eak liquid manure, taking care not to let it come too 

 near the stem, [f fine flowers for exhibition be wanted, the blooms 

 will be improved by cutting away all laterals, thinning the flower 

 buds, and pinching in the top of the spike j but while this improves the 

 individual bloom, it will materially shorten the period of flowering 

 and perhaps disfigure the appearance of the plant. After they are 

 done flowering, cut down the stems and clear away ail decayed foli- 

 age. They will require some half decayed leaves, tan, or such like, 

 laid ro-tsnd their necks during winter, as the fiost is apt to injure them 

 in damp situations. To raise Hollyhocks from seed, always save it 

 from the best sorts, sow it as soon as it is ripe, in any dry sandy soil; 

 if not sown too thick they may remain i;i the seed bed all winter, 

 in spring transfer them to a piece of well prepared ground to prove 

 them. They may be planted pretty close, say about a foot or eigh- 

 teen inches apart ; attend to staking and clearing away laterals ; when 

 in flower carefully mark those that are worthy of growing and pro- 

 pagate them. If the seed be careiully saved you will seldom be 

 disappointed in having some good sorts, which will amply repay any 

 trouble connected with them. The Hollyhock is admirably adapted 

 for planting in clumps, and if proper attention be paid to the harmon- 

 izing of colors, they have a charming effect. They may also be 

 planted in single lines to good advantage, and a few of the lighter 

 colored varieties may be introduced into shrubberies, where they 

 serve to relieve the monotonous appearance of a mass of green foli- 

 age. In whatever situation they are planted, they will seldom fail to 

 attract attention from all lovers of Flora. Althaea. 



On the Cultivation of the Vegetable Garden. 



Draining. — In making a few remarks upon some of the most prom- 

 inent points in the cultivation of the soil, the first and most impor- 

 tant inquiry is its relation to water. It is useless to attempt further 

 improvement on a soil naturally wet, until it is drained. Probably, it 

 rarely occurs that a "wet spot" is fixed upon for garden purposes, but 

 it is necessary lo drain all soils more or less, before the utmost advan- 

 tages of deep cultivation can be secured, and deep culture is absolute- 

 ly indispensable to produce well matured and fine flavored vegetables. 

 I have very often seen the remark made, that diainii g was of no use 

 \ here where the sun is so powerful, and droughts frequent, since a de- 

 Qk ficiency of moisture is commonly the greatest evil the vegetable 

 I ^grower has to contend against. It is for this very reason that I would ^ 



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