. THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 277 
ithe labour of potting up the cuttings when rooted, but it is very 
seldom that such a large percentage will strike as when put out in 
the border. 
VERBENAS, Lopenias, PrruniaAs, AND OTHER SOFT-WOODED 
BEDDING PLANTS require the aid of a glass cover of some kind. The 
quickest plan to raise a stock would be to insert the cuttings in 
pots or pans in the usual way and partly plunge the latter ina 
mild bottom-heat. Although bottom-heat is not indispensable at 
this season of the year for striking cuttings, there can be no doubt 
that many subjects strike with a greater degree of certainty with its 
aid. I should not, however, advise my readers to trouble them- 
selves about bottom-heat, for there is not a single plant used in 
garden decoration that cannot now be struck in a cold frame. ‘The 
chief element of success in propagating verbenas and other plants of 
like character is to commence early, and, as the plants will not be 
potted off until spring, the cuttings should be inserted in five-inch 
pots, at the rate of about twenty to each. When in pots they will 
not suffer from overcrowding if the pots are placed at a reasonable 
distance apart. In the case of boxes and pans with from one to two 
hundred in each, it is simply impossible to prevent those in the 
centre from becoming drawn and weakened in constitution. This 
may appear a very unimportant point, yet it is really upon these 
minor matters that success in a large measure depends. The soft 
- growing points of the shoots should be selected for cuttings, and 
these must be cut into lengths of two or three joints each. 
The best way to prepare pots in which the cuttings are to remain 
all the winter, is to place about an inch of crocks in the bottom, 
then fill up to within an inch of the rim with moderately fine soil, 
and upon that place a layer of silver-sand about an inch in thick- 
ness. The soil and sand should be used in a moderately moist con- 
dition, to allow of its being pressed firm, and then all will be ready 
for the reception of the cuttings. These must be sprinkled overhead 
once a day at least, and shaded from the sun until they are well 
rooted. To prevent their damping off, or becoming infested with 
mildew, admit a little air to the frame, even when first put in, for a 
short time during the evening, to dry up all superfluous moisture ; 
and after they begin to emit roots freely the lights should be left 
off altogether until the approach of frost renders the protection 
imperative. The great aim of the cultivator must be to keep the 
stock as hardy as possible, and, therefore, immediately the plants 
are rooted sufficiently the lights must be drawn off during the day, 
excepting in very wet or cold weather. The most desirable place 
for wintering the ordinary stock of bedders is undoubtedly a nice 
light airy greenhouse, but there can be no doubt that by propagat- 
ing early and keeping the stock hardy, verbenas, petunias, and 
many other subjects can be safely wintered in a cold frame, provided 
they are protected from the frost. It is also important to prevent 
either mildew or aphis becoming established on the foliage, and the 
best remedy for the former is dusting the leaves with flowers of 
sulphur, and for the latter tobacco-powder is an infallible remedy. 
The tobacco-powder should be applied immediately after the plants 
September, 
