July 20—Another Marsh Mallow grown in some of our gardens is Hibiscus Rosasinensie: thís species is not hardy as the others previously referred to. it requires protection during the Winter and this prevents many of us enjoying the beauty of its flowers. We do not all Possess greenhouses or frames. It has much smaller foliage than the other types and a more dwarf habit of growth: there are many varied ties, some of them producing' attractively coloured flowers that look -well anywhere. For Planting on a raised mound, this plant is ideal; there is no necessity to remove the pot, this may be plunged below ground level. The plant must be removed from the garden on the approach of frost and if the pot has been retained, this work will be simplified. There is still another Hibiscus grown here, but this one is to be found in the vegetable garden, It is known botanically as Hibiscus esculentus and it is a native of Africa: Okra is its common name, but it is often referred 4o as Gumbo. In the Middle East it is still called Bamia. a name of Arabic origin. and it is said that it was cultivated in Egypt as far back as 1216, Seed pods are picked when immature and used in soups or mixed with Egg-plants ind other vegetables: they are mucilaginous, and not great favourites yet, their taste has fo be aquired. The pods must be picked when about 3 inches long and no surplus ones should be left on the plants. The practice of passing a thread through the odè and drying them for use during the inter is not seen very often, but in olden times, it was the usual procedure. Okra is not grown to any extent in England, this may be owing to its peculiar flavour, but we feel that as the vegetable is essentially a warm weather crop. it would have to be cultivated there in greenhouses. and as space in these places is always limited it may not be considered worth while to attempt to grow Okra when Tomatoes - Cul would be more profitable—w.r.x.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.