332 BEDDING PLANTS. 



■when they do, they are not of a suitable age and siae for bedding 

 out. 



Only the more useful and desirable of the plants which are 

 used for this purpose are described, and such hints given, under 

 each flower, as seem likely to prove useful to that great mass of 

 cultivators who must content themselves with their summer 

 culture. 



The Verbena. — This flower is the most poptJar and gene- 

 rally planted of all the bedding plants. Beginning to flower 

 when the plants are quite small, and even before the weather is 

 warm enough for planting in the open air, it continues to bloom 

 all the summer long, and even through the autumn, until severe 

 frosts stop its growth. The flowers are of every color except 

 yellow, some of them handsomely eyed, and others striped and 

 mottled. They are borne in trusses, composed of many separate 

 flowers, and these are so numerous as to cover the bed completely. 



Young and healthy plants should be selected about the first 

 of June, avoiding those with crumpled and misshapen foliage. 

 For effective bedding display, those flowers are to be preferred 

 which have not a large eye, and are not striped. Clear, bright, 

 self-colors, when massed, are much more brilliant and showy. 



The soil should be deep and rich, and free from all surplus 

 moisture. The Yerbena in its wild state grows on dry hills, and 

 will not endure an excess of wet. If, however, this condition be 

 granted, that is, the bed be thoroughly drained, the texture of the 

 son is of little consequence, it will grow in any, from light sand 

 to quite strong clay. It is, however, important that it be well 

 enriched ; for this purpose aU coarse, iindecomposed and fer- 

 menting manures should be avoided, and that selected which 

 has been thoroughly rotted. Having incorporated the manure 

 thoroughly with the soil, and made the surface smooth and fine, 

 the plants may be set out about eighteen inches apart each way. 

 The various colors may be arranged to suit the taste of the 

 planter. 



It is desirable to plant in the latter part of the day, so that 



