8o HARDY PERENNIALS 
the whole of Europe was that of the late Mr. Chater 
of Saffron Walden. The strain still exists in the 
hands of Messrs. Vert & Son, the present occupants 
of the Saffron Walden Nurseries. Of late years, 
however, the purity of stocks has been so well fixed 
that plants raised from seed may be depended upon 
to come practically true, and as seedlings always 
grow with greater vigour and health than those 
struck from cuttings the majority of young plants 
sent out from nurseries are seedlings. 
Whether one desires double Hollyhocks or one 
or other of the single species mentioned, seed may 
be sown under glass in March or April or out of doors 
in May or June. 
If the seedlings can be transferred to flowering 
quarters as soon as three or four leaves are formed, 
well and good, but otherwise the young plants 
should be potted and grown on until they can be 
planted out. Plants left in the seed-bed until they 
become large are apt to suffer a severe check when 
eventually planted out. A deeply dug soil, fairly 
well but not too richly nourished, will suit the plants, 
the object being to keep them hard and sturdy rather 
than coarse and sappy through their first Winter. 
When flower-spikes begin to rise in early Summer the 
plants will benefit immensely by frequent soakings 
with liquid manure. 
Strong stakes, which can be well hidden among 
the ample foliage, will be necessary to secure the 
tall stems from damage by wind. 
