HOLLYHOCKS AND HYACINTHS. 



45 



seedlings should be thinned out, and before the approach of winter removed to cold 

 frames. As soon as the seed is ripe it can also be sown in pans or pots of rich but 

 light soil. Place these in a frame with a little bottom heat, and when the seedlings 

 are large enough, place them singly in small pots. Do not allow them to become 

 pot-bound. Keep in a close frame until established, when they may be removed to 

 a cold one for preservation during winter, repotting if necessary before planting-out 

 time in April. 



The hollyhock fungus is difficult to cope with, but must be eradicated, if possible. 

 A trade grower of great experience recommends syringing the plants with a weak 

 solution of Condy's Fluid in the proportion of about half-a-pint of the fluid to one gallon 

 of water. A strong solution of soft-soap, sulphur, and Gishurst compound is sometimes 

 efficacious. Should these remedies fail take up the plants and burn them, removing also 

 some of the soil about the roots, exposing it also to the action of fire. As already said, 

 a large proportion of double flowers can be secured from a good strain of seeds, but a 

 short selection of named varieties is given for those who desire them. 



Agnes Berry, light rosy lilac. 



Blucher, maroon. 



Charles Chater, crimson. 



Cheer, light red. 



Dulcimer, yellow, black ground. 



Electra, mottled, sulphur and rose. 



Selection of Hollyhocks. 



Excelsior, salmon. 

 Favourite, rose. 

 Franc. Gibb Dougal, purple. 

 Her Majesty, pure white. 

 Mrs. Downie, bright orange. 

 Mrs. Laing, shaded lilac. 



j Negro, black. 



Queen of Buffs, buff. 

 Queen of Yellows, yellow. 

 Bev. Jas. Bobertson, pale orange. 

 Standard-Bearer, creamy white. 

 Venus, light yellow. 



HYACINTHS. 



Of the various bulbous-rooted plants grown in gardens, few are more admired than 

 the hyacinth. The small Eoman species (Hyacinthus romanus albulus) is perhaps the 

 most serviceable, owing to the ease with which it may be forced, as well as the lightness 

 and elegance of its spikes of white flowers. The successful culture of this kind will be 

 described under the heading " Forced Bulbs for Conservatories " (Vol. III.). What 

 may be termed the Florist's Hyacinth originated from Hyacinthus orientalis and its 

 sub-species, H. o. provincialis. Both single and double varieties are numerous, and 

 many of them very handsome. The soil and climate of Holland are admirably adapted 

 to the preparation of hyacinths for culture in pots and beds, and from that country our 

 supplies are drawn. Favourable as may be the conditions under which they labour, the 



