Descriptions of Eight New Seedling Vei'benas. 213 



and expansive views, how much more rapid would be the 

 progress of science among us ! We shall look forward to the 

 letters which Mr. Kennedy proposes to write, illustrative 

 of the title of the article, with great pleasure, and do not doubt 

 but that every amateur, or young practitioner, will be impa- 

 tient to treasure up the practical experience with which his 

 articles will be replete. — Ed. 



Art. VIII. DescriptioJis of Eight Neiv Seedling Verbenas. 

 By the Editor. 



Few flowers, in the same space of time, have attained that 

 popularity which attaches to the Verbena. Scarcely ten years 

 have elapsed since the introduction of the few original species, 

 and now our gardens abound with varieties of every tint and 

 shade, from the purest white to the deepest purple. During 

 this period, we have described, in our several volumes, every 

 really fine seedling originating in various collections, num- 

 bering in all upwards oi fifty ^ and we now have the gratifica- 

 tion of describing eight entirely new seedlings, selected last 

 year from a bed of some hundred plants, some of which are 

 remarkably brilliant and showy, and quite distinct from any 

 of the older ones. 



Now that the verbena is brought to such perfection, in 

 regard to the color, as well as size, of the flowers, new 

 and distinct varieties are not produced with the facility of 

 former years; but, like the dahlia, pelargonium, fuchsia, 

 pansy and other flowers, the selection must be made from 

 hundreds or thousands of plants, so small is the chance of 

 success in a less number. That many new, very distinct and 

 splendid varieties will yet be added to our collections, there is 

 no doubt, and, to those who wish to make the trial, there is a 

 fair field for that object. Unquestionably, edged, tipped, 

 mottled and striped varieties will yet be produced as two-col- 

 ored ones have already been, and, as less patience is required, 

 in raising seedlings of the verbena than in most other plants, 

 the zealous florist should continue his eflbrts yearly, until 

 some new and unique tints are obtained. 



