General Notices. 83 



which much improves their color. As to the result of the ahove practice, 

 I may mention, in conclusion, that I grew some seedling plants in 1844, 

 one of which I exhibited at the Horticultural Society's Garden, in July, 

 1845, which was awarded a silver Knightian medal, accompanied vpith this 

 note by the judges : — " Had this been exhibited in its proper place, it 

 would have received a higher medal." In July, 1846, a second plant re- 

 ceived a large silver medal ; and to a third, the same award was made in 

 July, 1847. Another plant was also shown in the same year, at the Roy- 

 al Botanic Society's Garden, Regent's Park, and was awarded the first 

 prize as a single specimen of superior cultivation. The plant that I ex- 

 hibited at the Horticultural Society, in July, 1847, had 500 blooms expand- 

 ed at once, 10 days after the exhibition. — {Gard. Chron., 1848, p. 784.) 



Cultivation of Verbenas, and grouping them in the open garden — Verbe- 

 nas supply us with almost every shade of color. 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 color enough 

 to fill a group of parterre. The method 1 pursue with these plants, is as 

 follows : I put in cuttings the latter end of August, in large 48 sized pots, 

 which I consider the best size for the purpose ; they are half filled with pot- 

 sherds ; over this I put a bit of moss, and then a few siftings, such as would 

 pass through a half inch seive, filling the pot very nigh to the brim with 

 some fine sandy compost, 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 year, a close, cold pit or 

 frame, rather than bottom heat. They will require very little further at- 

 tention 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 in- 

 ured to light and air, and, as soon as the plants will admit, the lights may 

 be taken off altogether, and the points frequently pinched back. Tn No- 

 vember they should be on shelves, in a late vinery, or some similar situa- 

 tion, 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, they may receive more wa- 

 ter, and be frequently sprinkled over with the syringe. As soon as they 

 begin to grow, the tops may be taken ofl' for cuttings, and be put in pots as 

 before recommended. 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 es- 

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

 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 



