118 
THE FLORIST. 
of novelty, have been neglected, to the disadvantage of our gardens, 
and to advocate their restoration to our flower-borders.” 
I think the Hollyhock is one of those neglected flowers. But 
very few florists have taken any pains to improve it. Many have 
no conception of its beauty when properly cultivated. 
I admit that, to the eye of the florist, nothing can be more despic¬ 
able than some of the bad-coloured single ones, grown in many of 
our gardens, even where better things might be expected indeed ; I 
think the wild mallow is to be preferred to many of them. But are 
they not to be improved ? Are there none to be found worthy of the 
florist’s care, or the gentleman’s garden ? Yes ; there are varieties 
as much superior to the before-named, as your model-pansy in page 
25 is to the little wild weed found in our fields, or the most perfect 
double Dahlia yet raised, is to the single ones first imported into 
this country. 
I do not know any thing in the flower-garden more imposingly 
grand than a long row, or a large bed, well cultivated, and arranged 
according to their heights and colours. 
As cut flowers to decorate the drawing-room they are very hand¬ 
some, and will retain their form and colour a long time if the foot¬ 
stalks are placed in water. 
I have taken some pains, and pleasure too, in cultivating them for 
more than twenty years, and have been anxiously looking into other 
floral publications a long time, expecting to see some remarks made 
on my old favourite; and now, after waiting in vain up to the pre¬ 
sent time, I have ventured this scribble, hoping to draw your atten¬ 
tion to the subject. 
I wish they were exhibited at some of our Metropolitan shows, 
and prizes offered for them the same as Dahlias or other flowers; it 
would bring out the best varieties to the notice of the public. I 
should be very glad to be a contributor to such exhibitions. 
I humbly submit my opinion of what I consider to be a good 
flower, and shall be happy to hear the opinions of others on the sub¬ 
ject who are more competent to* judge than myself. 
1st. It is indispensably necessary that the petals be of thick sub¬ 
stance, the edges perfectly smooth and even—what we call rose-edged. 
2d. The florets occupying the centre must be compact, closety 
arranged, rising in the middle so as to make a half globular form, 
with a stiff guard leaf extending about half an inch, or rather more, 
from the centre florets. 
3d. As to colour,—if seifs,—bright yellows, vivid scarlets, pure 
whites, rich crimsons, blacks, rose, lilac, &c. If variegated,—dis¬ 
tinctly marked, the colour not running one into the other ; some 
shaded ones are very pretty. 
The habit of the plant may have a great deal to do with orna¬ 
menting the flower-garden, but it has very little to do with cut flowers 
for exhibition, excepting they are shewn in spikes. 
I think they ought to be shewn two ways ; in stands of six, twelve, 
or twenty-four blooms, and also in spikes of flowers, say the best 
one or three, &c. 
