GARDENING BY M YSELF. 3 3 



you want whole beds of white or purple or 

 crimson. And it is quite true that young- 

 verbenas are much given to " miffs " and 

 freaks, and do not always consider existence 

 worth striving for. But they are very inter- 

 esting seedlings to me, because they "■ sport " 

 so freely ; and I never know just what I 

 shall have, and enjoy all the pleasure of ex- 

 pectation and novelty and surprise. I said 

 they were of uncertain disposition, but that 

 is only while they are in the seed-leaf. Once 

 started in the world with a pair of rough 

 leaves, and verbenas will defy most things. 

 Before that, you must watch them a little. 

 Sometimes the young plant comes up with 

 the old seed for a head-piece, — not carried 

 loosely, bean-fashion, but worn with a ver}^ 

 tight fit ; and then (perhaps because the air of 

 the room is too dry) the seed maintains its 

 hold, and keeps the leaves in prison. If 

 this lasts dangerously long (don't wait till 

 the little plant begins to hang its heavy 

 head), take small sharp scissors and clip 

 off the tip end of the seed, steadying the 



