544 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Mr. Morris replied that, as far as commercial value was concerned,, 

 the apples prepared by these machines were much used in 

 America, and formed the ingredients of puddings and pies. 

 Fruit so prepared was very palatable, and even retained some of 

 the fresh juices, and, besides, it could be kept for almost any 

 length of time. 



THE HOLLYHOCK (ALTHAEA ROSEA). 

 By Mr. James Douglas, F.R.H.S. 

 [Bead August 25, 1890.] 



This is a very old inhabitant of our gardens. It was cultivated 

 in its single and double forms nearly three hundred years ago. 

 When Gerard published his " History of Plants " he gave woodcuts 

 of single and double varieties. At that time single red, white, 

 and purple varieties were grown. Gerard figures at page 783 a 

 double purple and a double scarlet. This was in 1597. About 

 a quarter of a century later, when "The Paradisus " was pub- 

 lished by Parkinson, many more double Hollyhocks had been 

 raised. He says : " The flowers are of divers colours, both 

 single and double, as pure white, and pale blush, almost like a 

 white ; and more blush, fresh and lively, of a rose colour ; scarlet, 

 and a deeper red like a crimson ; and of a dark red, like black 

 blood." And he farther states that they will reasonably abide 

 the winter. The Hollyhock has been treated upon by all the 

 leading authors on gardening subjects from the time of Gerard 

 until now. It is altogether a noble garden plant, and when well 

 placed is an ornament in any garden, be it that of the humble 

 roadside cottage or that of prince or peer. It would be tedious, 

 nor would it be desirable, to continue the history of our plant 

 during its progress to the high state of perfection it has now 

 attained ; but I may be allowed to record as much of its modem 

 history as falls within my own recollection during a period of 

 some thirty-five years. About that time two types of Hollyhock 

 \vem in cultivation, usually termed the English and Scotch 

 varieties. The first named were, if I may say so, of the more 

 refined character. The flowers were, in comparison to those 

 grown now, of small size, closely set on the spikes ; they had 



