338 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



The following are good varieties : 



Chelsea Gem. Crimson and pale yellow. 



Delicata. Pink with white eye. 



Drap d"or. Orange. 



La Neige. White. 



Magenta King. Purplish scarlet. 



Ne Plus Ultra. Rose. 



Any of the above may be chosen of which the colour is liked. 



VERBENAS 



We have already referred to the Verbena as a plant which may 

 be raised from seed early in the year and treated as an Annual. 

 Probably most growers deal with it in this way at the present 

 time. The day of the Verbena as a florist's flower, to be grown 

 through the winter and propagated by cuttings from year to year, 

 is past. The florists of the mid-Victorian epoch esteemed it highly, 

 but it gradually declined in favour with amateurs. 



It must be acknowledged, however, that Verbenas make charm- 

 ing beds. When they are once established they grow rapidly, 

 and flower profusely over a long period. The colours are bright, 

 and the flowers are scented. Having these merits, Verbenas are 

 certain of a considerable measure of popularity, especially when 

 it is realised how easily they are grown from seed, and that 

 one or two of the best of the modern varieties come quite true 

 from seed. 



The seed may be sown in boxes of light, sandy soil, kept moist, 

 in January, the seedlings pricked off three inches apart when they 

 begin to get crowded, and planted out from the boxes about mid- 

 May. If the soil is rich they should be placed eighteen inches 

 apart, and the growths pegged down as they extend. By adopting 

 this plan the soil is quickly covered. Mixed seed of a good strain 

 will give a nice selection of colours, but there are a few particularly 



