Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-26

Heavy and continued rains Of last
week forced hollyhock seed pods into
growth upon the plants, making them
parasites for the nonce.
The continual moisture caused
bursting OF the pods and the forma-
ton Of roots at the base of each seed
with the resultant growth of small
leaves above.
At the cessation Of the rains garden.
ers were surprised at the strange
green foliage which had developed on
the hollyhock spires.
Closer examination showed that
each growth" was composed of q
multitude of tiny hollyhock plants
each with its own root system, body
and leaves, the latter of an intense
green.
The threadlike roots were almost
pure white, being exposed to the &C.
ton of the light, and had sunk them
selves into the sheath of the seed pod
which had been softened by the down
pour.
Placed In a saucer of water, the
seed-pod aggregation continued to
thrive, and no doubt each minute
plant, If separated and put into the
ground, would do well in the garden
there yet being plenty of time for
growth.
These reinforced hollyhocks, il
properly cared for, should get enough
growth this Autumn to live through
the Winter and ought to bloom nicely
next Spring.
The power and necessity of water
In the growth Of plants was thus strik
ingly brought out. Many gardeners
are afraid to water, but Nature is not
when she gets started.
X x X X
Damage is done to wheat in much
the same way, heavy rains causing
the grain to sprout in the shock.
1t must be apparent, however, tina,
Nature does not concern herself with
the wheat crop, or the hollyhock crop
as such. but simply as plants of the
fields.
Nature does not care a whoop If the
crop is ruined. There will be more
plants next year, for her billions OF
seeds are sprouting, and will fall tc
the ground and there grow up. The
race will be perpetuated.
Water. earth, air and sunlight
these are the magic quartet, the "Bie
Four" Of Nature. Everything that
lives came from the water, in the frs.
place, according to science and the
immemorial legends of mankind.
Water was once everywhere, Their
the mountains stuck their heads up
Widely separated races had legends
of great flood, when the whole
world Tor at least such part of it al
they knew was submerged once more
beneath the rolling waves of water
Water is necessary to all growing
things, including man, whose body Is
largely composed of it. Members OF
the vegetable world can scarcely get
along without it, except certain fami
lies, such as the cacti, which have
learned to harbor up liquid. They are
the camelS Of the vegetable kingdom
and form an interesting race, oil
which the average person knows prac
tically nothing.
The vast majority Of growing things
however, need water, and more water
If there is good drainage, it is no,
likely that any harm will come to a
plant from the recent heavy rains ir
these parts. Lacking proper draining
facilities, either natural or artificial
some plants may suffer, particularly
the bulbs, in which the excess mois
ture may cause rotting.
Watering gardens. particularly the
flower garden, Is one Of the most per
picking problems to the amateur II
is significant that all garden books
and garden magazines treat the sub