THE FLORAL WOULD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 235 



as are wanted. The compost in which I grow the verbena is — equal 

 parts turfy loam, leaf-mould, and peat, with a little diver sand 

 added, to keep the soil open. I water twice a week with liquid 

 manure, and occasionally syringe overhead with clean water to 

 cleanse the foliage. If the saving of the seed is no object, all 

 flowers ought to be cut off as soon as they begin to decay. I need 

 scarcely add that the grand secret in the successful culture of this, 

 as well as of all plants, is efficient drainage ; without this, no plant 

 will continue long in good health. If green-fly should attack your 

 plants, fumigate with tobacco; for if the fly once gets ahead, the 

 plants will never recover sufficiently to give satisfaction. Mildew is 

 another enemy which must be looked after. As soon as it is per- 

 ceived, dust the plants with a little sulphur, which will stop it from 

 doing much mischief. 



LINUM TKIGYNUM. 



[HIS is a showy and useful plant for autumn and early 

 winter decoration, producing, as it does, its large, bright 

 yellow blossoms freely for some two or three months 

 together, and if guarded from damp, the individual 

 flowers remain a comparatively long time in perfection. 

 The temperature of an intermediate house is, however, necessary 

 during the period the plant is in bloom, for if kept in an ordinary 

 greenhouse the flowers will be produced but scantily, and their 

 beauty will be but short-lived, whereas, if afforded a temperature of 

 from 50° to 55°, well-grown plants will be very attractive objects 

 for a considerable time. I will suppose that young plants are in 

 hand early in spring, and although this is their natural season of 

 rest, yet with the view of securing a long season of growth, they 

 may be placed in a growing temperature about the middle of March. 

 Choose a situation near the glass, where a moist atmosphere can be 

 maintained with a moderate circulation of air, when the state of the 

 weather will permit, and let the temperature range from 50° or 55° 

 by night to 60° or 65° with sun-heat. Take an early opportunity, 

 after placing the plants in growing circumstances, to examine the 

 Btate of the roots, and repot such as may require it. Unless, how- 

 ever, the pots are moderately filled with roots, it will be better to 

 clear away any unkind soil, and thoroughly repair the drainage, re- 

 potting in the same sized pots until the roots have acquired a 

 healthy condition, which, with careful attention, will soon be the 

 case ; the plants should then be afforded a liberal shift — say, into 

 pots two sizes larger than those in which they have been growing. 

 Syringe overhead morning and evening, but apply water cautiously 

 to the soil for a week or two alter putting, for the roots are im- 

 patient of overmuch moisture, and if the fresh soil is overwatered 

 and allowed to become sodden, the health of the plant will be 

 injured, and there will be considerable difficulty in getting it to 

 make a vigorous start. 



August. 



