HERBACEOUS ELOWEES. 



8£ 



creases by offsets. A noble and useful garden flower, 

 either in avenues or clumps, standing singly or collected 

 in beds. The Dutch are fond of growing it as dwarf as 

 possible, in pots. It is only of late years that the 

 English have regarded it as a florists 5 flower, naming the 

 choice varieties. Mr. Bircham, of Hedenham Rosary, 

 jSTorfolk, was one of the first to direct the attention of the 

 public to its merits ; and now the French and English 

 gardeners are engaged in a friendly rivalry as to which 

 can show the best Hollyhocks. Double flowers only are 

 in esteem at present. For new varieties, sow the seed 

 in March, duly cultivate the plants during summer, and 

 in October plant them where they are to flower. The 

 Hollyhock is a gross feeder ; any good garden soil will suit 

 it, but on a deep, moist, rich loam, it succeeds the best. 

 The finer kinds are largely propagated by eyes, which are 

 taken off in summer, and planted in a pit under glass, in 

 light sandy soil, placed over a gentle bottom-heat. As 

 some kinds only are raised true from seeds, plants from 

 cuttings will mostly be preferred to seedlings. At the 

 time of final planting out, if in spring, the state of the 

 ground is of great importance. To use a common gar- 

 dening phrase, the earth should " move like an ash-heap" 

 at the time this work is done. It is better even to wait 

 a fortnight beyond the most advantageous season, than 

 to plant when the ground is wet and clammy. The 

 plants should be set firmly in the ground three feet 

 apart, not too low, pressing the soil well round the neck 

 with the hands, or by a gentle stroke of the foot. This 

 done, watering must be attended to, if the season be dry, 

 using weak liquid manure, breaking the surface of the 

 ground with a hoe the day after the water is given. 

 When the flower-stem rises, it should be fastened to a 

 stake firmly fixed in the ground at, or soon after, the 

 time of planting ; otherwise, some tempestuous gust will 

 be sure to prostrate the plants in the height of their 

 beauty. Hollyhocks are also propagated by grafting, — 

 the less preferable mode. Mr. Paul (see his " An Hour 

 with the Hollyhock") enthusiastically lauds this flower 



