REMARKS ON THE CULTURE OF THE VERBENA. 211 



spring, and be got out of doors as early as possible in June, when they 

 will be ready to be brouglit into the greenhouse or conservatory to 

 flower, by the end of September. The heat required to expand the 

 blossom-buds is by day about iifty-five degrees, and by night iifty 

 degrees ; if this be attended to, and the atmosphere never allowed to 

 reach a much higher or lower temperature, the plants will continue in 

 flower for a length of time. 



REMARKS ON THE CULTURE OF THE VERBENA. 



BY A DERBYSHIRE FLOWER GARDENER. 



Verbenas supply us with almost every shade of colour. This with 

 their neat habit and easy management render them indispensable for 

 the purpose of grouping, in fact, they would of themselves supply 

 variety of colour enough fo fill a group or parterre. The method I 

 pursue with these plants is as follows : — I put in cuttings the latter end 

 of August in large 48-sized pots, wliich I consider the best size for the 

 purpose ; they are half filled with potsherds, over this I put a bit of 

 moss, and then a few siftings, such as would pass through a half inch 

 sieve, filling the pot very nigh to the brim with some fine sandy com- 

 post, and covering the whole with a little silver sand. When the 

 cuttings are put in, they should receive a watering with a fine rose, but 

 not until the cutting pots are placed in the frame, or pit, where they 

 are to be struck, and I prefer at this time of the year a close, cold pit 

 or frame, rather than bottom heat. They will require very little 

 further attention than sprinkling and shading, which must be done as 

 required ; never allowing them to flag, and giving them as much light 

 as they will bear, without flagging; always allowing the sun to shine 

 on them about one hour every afternoon. As soon as they are struck, 

 they should be gradually inured to light and air, and as soon as the 

 plants will admit the lights may be taken off'altogetiier, and the points 

 frequently pinched back. In November they should be on shelves in 

 a late vinery or some similar situation, as near the light as possible, and 

 giving them no more water than is absolutely necessary ; at the same 

 time they should not be allowed to suffer for want of it. About the 

 middle of February tliey may receive more water, and be frequently 

 sprinkled over with the syringe. As soon as they begin to grow the 

 tops may be taken oflT for cuttings, and be put in pots as before recom- 

 mended. They may be placed in a brisk bottom heat, where they will 

 root in about a fortnight. These will make the best plants for bedding. 

 They should be potted off singly as soon as they are a little hardened, 

 and encouraged as much as possible. If they are not stunted by bad 

 management, they will soon surpass plants that were potted off and 

 established in autumn. The plants in the store-pots should be potted 

 off" singly as soon as the first lot of cuttings are taken off" and placed in 

 a little bottom heat ; if required, another lot of cuttings may be taken 

 from these plants ; also, the first struck cuttings which, if well managed 

 will make nice little plants before time to plant them out. I consider 

 it preferable to keep the plants in the cutting-pots during winter; for, 



