THE CULTIVATION OP THE VERBEHA. 149 



plant, adding a compost of equal parts of fresh soil and 

 rotted manure to the depth of two or three inches. 

 Young shoots, as they develop, root into this with avid- 

 ity, producing a soft and healthy growth, which, by the 

 first or middle of October, gives us just the style of cut- 

 ting we require. Now the process of propagation begins, 

 which may be carried on either in the propagating house 

 in the usual way, or by the saucer system, as before de- 

 scribed ; but by whichever method the propagation is ef- 

 fected, let me again mention the importance of taking 

 the cutting in that succulent condition in which it will 

 snap on being bent. 



Do not attempt to pot the old plant, or tbe layers of 

 the Verbena, or even to take a shoot for a cutting which 

 has formed a root in the ground ; for in most cases the 

 roots so formed are so low down that the shoot is hard 

 and woody at that point, and will not be likely to pro- 

 duce such roots as will give a healthy growth. It is by 

 starting wrong in the fall, and impairing the vitality of 

 the plant and placing it in an enfeebled state, that disease 

 is invited. 



In the directions given in the chapter on Propagation 

 great importance is attached to the necessity of potting 

 off cuttings immediately after being rooted. If this is 

 necessary with any plant, it is especially so with the Ver- 

 bena, as no plant is more susceptible of injury from allow- 

 ing the roots to become elongated and hardened in the 

 cutting bench. Cuttings thus neglected make hard, slim 

 plants, which, even if they do escape the insect pest, are 

 not likely to make thrifty plants. On potting the cut- 

 tings, they are placed in a greenhouse or frame, and shaded 

 in the usual way for two or three days, or as long as the 

 condition of the weather may require. As soon as they 

 have struck root in the soil of the pots, they should be kept 

 cool, and abundantly supplied with air. 



Fire heat need only be given sufficient to keep them 



