general treatment of Verbenas. 171. 



By the middle of April they should again be repotted into No. 4 

 pots, receiving the same treatment as regards air and water as be- 

 fore, and in May or about the 1st of June the plants should be 

 placed in the next size pots. A final shifting may be made in 

 July, into pots a foot in diameter, and a plant standing in one of 

 these, elevated upon a pedestal of some kind, with the shoots hang- 

 ing over the sides to the distance of two or three feet, is one of 

 the most surpassingly brilliant objects imaginable. To heighten 

 their effect vases of classic models may be adopted, either for put- 

 ting the plants directly into, or for setting a common pot inside. 



In August another stock of young plants should be taken off, 

 and the same course of cultivation piu'sued the next season. It 

 should be carefully remembered not to over water the plants dur- 

 ing their dormant season; for if their roots are once destroyed, it 

 is difficult to bring the plants into a healthy state. 



But it is in the open border where we shall find this plant con- 

 tributing its greatest splendor and brilliancy, — almost as dazzling 

 as the sun's rays, whose presence alone can cause it to display its 

 vivid tints, it enlivens the border and adds gayness to all around. 

 We have seen patches of it four feet in diameter, with hundreds 

 of its blossoms expanded at once, and with only ordinary care it 

 may be easily made to extend its shoots to this distance. When, 

 however, plants do not make such rapid growth, they are not less 

 attractive, and we had rather see a small patch thickly covered 

 with flowers, than a large one with blossoms spread thinly round. 



Plants for placing in the open border should be taken up as 

 has just been recommended for pots, and preserved in a frame or 

 green-house, or even a parlor, though in the latter they do not add 

 any thing to' the beauty of the room. Their presence, however, 

 will undoubtedly be allowed, as a remuneration for their charms 

 during the summer season. In either of the places they should 

 be watered with the utmost care. Keep them near the light, and 

 let them have as much air as possible. 



In the month of May the plants should be turned into the bor- 

 der. Select a dry, warm, and, above all, a sunny situation. If 

 the soil is not naturally light and sandy make it so by the addi- 

 tion of the proper materials, and if the situation is low let a little 

 mound be raised, about six inches high in the centre, gently slop- 

 ing it off, so that all superfluous wet may pass away. Set a plant 

 in the centre of this, and as its shoots progress let them be pegged 

 down to the soil; proceed in this manner, all summer, and by 

 September the whole space all around will be covered. No 

 watering is necessary; keep the weeds out, and nothing else need 

 be done. In September take ofl^' a quantity of young plants for 

 another season, as the old one will be of no use. 



V. Twcedicknn. — By our placing the V. chamaedrifolia first, it 

 may be supposed that we admire that species more than the 



