238 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
words ? ” The Neapolitan Violet has from me special attention, because of the 
beautiful perfume it exhales; and when mingled with other cut flowers, it is 
ever, and deservedly so, highly popular. In its season, the simple yet beau¬ 
tiful Neapolitan Violet can hold its own against any contemporaneous flower. The 
third of the trio is the Hollyhock, and whether I view it as an exhibition flower, 
or as grown simply for rendering ornamental the flower garden, in each case it 
has ever been with me one of the “ petted ” of the great family of flowers. 
'When employed for the latter purpose I have used the Hollyhock with 
great effect as a background for a broad ribbon border in which Dahlias were 
also employed, and which gradually shortened down to Lobelias, used as an 
edging, or front-row plant. A second method of using the Hollyhock was as 
a centre for round beds 12 feet in diameter, and surrounding it with two rings 
of dwarf bedding Dahlias, having Alba multiflora for the inner circle, and for 
the outer, Crvstal Palace Scarlet. A second bed had for an inner circle of 
Dahlias, Orb of Day, bright yellow; and for an outer ring, Purple Zelinda. 
Named sorts of Hollyhocks were used, and the colours were quite distinct. I 
employ, for the centre of these beds, one-year-old plants which had been potted 
up in the autumn. The strongest plants, carrying about three strong shoots 
each, were used, and planted in March, when the shoots had reached a foot 
high, each shoot being secured to a small stake. When the shoots have 
attained another foot of growth, the small stakes should be removed for stouter 
ones, which, however, need not be more than 2 feet cut of the ground if they 
are driven firmly into it, as tall stakes that rear their heads uj> among or above 
the flowers, are unsightly things in the flower garden. Round the centre of 
strong plants can be planted a circle of Hollyhocks, the shoots of which should 
have their fops removed when they reach a height of 5 feet, by this means the 
centre plants will be from 12 to 18 inches higher than the outer ones. 
Hollyhocks can also be used for shrubbery decoration, if space can be 
afforded for the free action of their roots, as it must be understood that if the 
roots of large trees or shrubs interfere with the growth of the Hollyhocks, the 
shoots will be thin and spare, and the flowers meagre and small. To be really 
effective when thus employed, some good and well-rotted manure should be 
dug into the soil, to the depth of 18 or 20 inches, in which they are to be 
planted, and the plants allowed to carry but one leading shoot. Under these 
circumstances they will grow from 6 to 8 feet in height, and have a good effect 
in the blooming season. 
In shrubberies the Hollyhock is also very useful for breaking a flatness or 
sameness that often prevails when plants have reached something like a 
uniform height; and seeing the many shades of colour it gives, from the purest 
white to the shade of Black Knight, it cannot be too highly commended for 
this purpose. 
I have little to add to what has already been so well said by others in 
reference to the Hollyhock as an exhibition flower, though I have been a 
constant exhibitor for many years past. I would, however, strongl}'- advise 
any one w r ho may be contemplating growing for that purpose, to ponder well 
the pages of Mr. William Paul’s valuable little book, entitled “ An Hour with 
the Hollyhock,” wherein the history of this flower is traced for the last twenty 
years: and also to consult the pages of the catalogues of the leading Holly¬ 
hock growers for the valuable practical instructions they convey to the amateur 
grower. 
My method of propagation is by cuttings taken from the “ collar ” of the 
plant when the shoots are about the length of one’s finger. This should be done 
in September; and some eight cuttings should be put round a 32-pot, a light 
sandy soil being used. The cuttings should be pressed firmly into the soil and 
