its Cultivation and Treatment. 255 



of the shoots had been stopped, with the hope of throwing 

 them into bloom, while others were retained at full length, 

 but neither showed signs of blooming. The plants continued 

 to grow freely under ordinary treatment, and were wintered 

 in the greenhouse with other plants. They were, however, 

 kept rather dry, in order to fully ripen the young wood. 



In the month of May. the house having been kept rather 

 warmer than usual, to forward the grape vines on the roof, it 

 was perceived that the veronicas had commenced a fresh 

 growth, and as the temperature was slightly raised, after a 

 quantity of plants had been removed to the open air, the 

 flower buds made their appearance in long spikes at the axil 

 of every leaf, near the ends of the shoots, and in three weeks, 

 (at the time we write this,) we had the gratification of see- 

 ing the plants covered with two spikes of flowers on each 

 branch, forming truly an object of great splendor ; and as the 

 buds continue to appear, it will probably remain in bloom all 

 summer. 



In PaxtoiibS Magazine^ it is said to require a temperature 

 rather higher than that of the greenhouse ; and to this fact, 

 with the well ripened state of the wood, and careful watering 

 in winter, we attribute the free flowering of our plants. An 

 increase of 10° above the average heat is sufficient to excite 

 the plants and throw them into flower. 



Treated in this way, the veronica will give an abundant 

 display of its brilliant purple flowers ; and at this season of 

 the year, when the greenhouse or conservatory is deficient in 

 showy objects, it will form one of its most attractive features. 

 It is unquestionably one of the most valuable plants of late 

 introduction to our gardens. 



The veronica is readily propagated from cuttings; these 

 may be put in at any season of the year, when the new wood 

 has just begun to harden, but the best period is in February 

 and March ; they Avill then root more freely and with greater 

 certainty than later. If a slight bottom heat is at hand, it 

 may be used, but if not, they may be placed in the green- 

 house, in a shady place. The cuttings should be put into 

 sand and the pots well drained ; as soon as rooted, Avhich will 

 be in five or six weeks, they should be potted oft' and treated 

 as above mentioned. The branches on the young plants, the 



