142 PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE. 



Verbena, or even to take a shoot for a cutting which l.as 

 formed a root in the ground ; for in most cases the roots 

 so formed are so low down that the shoot is hard and 

 woody at that point, and will not be likely to produce such 

 roots as will give a healthy growth. It is by starting 

 wrong in the fall, and impairing the vitality of the plant, 

 and placing it in an enfeebled state, that disease is invited. 



In the directions given in the Chapter on Propagation 

 great importance is attached to the necessity of potting 

 off cuttings immediately on being rooted. If this is nec- 

 essary with any plant, it is especially so with the Verbena, 

 as no plant is more susceptible of injury from allowing the 

 roots to become elongated and hardened in the cutting 

 bench. Cuttings thus neglected make hard, slim plants, 

 which, even if they do escape the insect pest, are not likely 

 to make thrifty plants. On potting the cuttings, they are 

 placed in a green -house or frame, and shaded in the usual 

 way for two or three days or as long as the condition of 

 the weather may require. As soon as they have struck 

 root in the soil of the pots, they should be kept cool, and 

 abundantly supplied with air by tilting up or letting down 

 the sash. 



No fire heat need be given, except sufficient to keep 

 them from freezing, and if a temperature can be sustained 

 throughout the entire winter months ranging from 40 

 to 45, at night, and not to exceed 10 higher during 

 the day until the beginning of March, there is no doubt 

 whatever of having a healthy and vigorous stock, provid- 

 ing proper attention has been given to watering and to 

 fumigation by tobacco. Watering we do by force-pump 

 and hose, as elsewhere described, drenching the plants 

 thoroughly overhead by a sprinkler, whenever they show 

 indications of being dry. 



Continued fumigation is of the utmost importance in the 

 culture of all plants under glass, but it is perfectly indis- 

 pensable to the welfare of the Verbena. In all our Verbe- 



