NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 145 



the purpose of preventing young growth. This system of 

 propagation is only necessary where large numbers of plants 

 are required. When the plants are fairly established 

 abundance of air must be given. In mild weather draw off 

 the lights of the frame ; and, in rainy weather, give air by 

 tilting the lights. 



Large quantities of strong, well-rooted plants may be 

 obtained with very little trouble, if undertaken at the proper 

 time. Shallow boxes, say four inches deep by one foot wide, 

 will answer, having two or three auger holes in the bottom 

 for drainage ; put one inch of rough cinders, broken pots, 

 or chopped sods, and fill up with compost, composed of 

 fresh loam, decomposed leaf mould, and sharp sand two 

 parts of the former and one each of the latter. Any ordinary 

 soil will answer if fresh loam cannot be had. Sprinkle the 

 surface with sharp sand. Press the compost firmly in the 

 boxes, and water well the day before planting the cuttings. 

 The cuttings should be taken from the parent plant early in 

 March. Select the young shoots which have no bloom 

 upon them. Cut at a joint, trim off the lower leaves, and 

 insert the cuttings in the soil about two inches deep, and 

 two inches one from the other. Press the soil against each 

 cutting with the planting stick (which should not be more 

 than six inches long with a blunted point.) The cutting 

 should not be more than three inches long. As each box is 

 filled with cuttings as directed, it should receive a gentle 

 watering, just enough to settle the soil about the stems ; 

 remove the boxes at once to the cold frame, where the sun 

 cannot reach them. Sprinkle gently with a syringe every 

 fine evening, and keep the frame closed until the cuttings 

 begin to grow, when air may be admitted gradually. If 

 Verbena cuttings are once allowed to flag, it is rarely that 

 they can be revived (except placed in a gentle heat.) In 

 this country Verbenas require very little protection from 

 frosts. They will live through the Winter standing on a 

 verandah facing north. Water only when absolutely 

 necessary. An occasional soaking in fine open weather will 

 be better than frequent sprinklings. The great point to aim 

 at in preparing young stock to be kept through the Winter, 

 is to have the plants well rooted before the cold weather 

 sets in. 



