GROUPS OF GARDEN FLOWERS 35 



if purchased from a reliable seedsman ; but for those who desire distinct 

 shades, Pink Beauty (which has delicate pink flowers), Scarlet Beauty, 

 and Dark Crimson are recommended. There is also the Auricula-eyed 

 in variety, which possess rich colours, with a white eye and margin. 

 The seeds should be sown in May either in the open ground, pans, or 

 boxes. Thoroughly drained soil is essential, as the plants are liable to 

 suffer in wet ground during the winter. 



Verbenas. Flower lovers rejoice in a revival of the Verbena, one 

 of those good plants almost annihilated by fungoid disease, the result of 

 weakened growth through over-propagation, or propagation in forcing 

 temperature to insure quick rooting of the cuttings. Of course the 

 Verbena is not a hardy plant, but it is much too good a flower to be 

 allowed to pass into disuse. Some of the old self-coloured varieties 

 are still to be had ; and those with a scarcely defined eye, or very small 

 white eye, are much to be preferred to those of more recent raising with 

 large white centres. The large white eye spoils the plants in the mass 

 and the Verbena is essentially for massing giving them a chopped-up 

 look that certainly detracts from their beauty. The danger with the 

 garden varieties is that of getting them too large and coarse. What is 

 wanted is strong constitution and short growth. Seed can be obtained 

 in mixed or in distinct colours that is, a packet of a certain colour will 

 produce it in the seedling. Always choose as mentioned good selfs, pure 

 clear shades, nothing " spotty " or crude. Seedlings are unquestionably 

 stronger than cuttings. Sow the seed in March thinly in shallow pans, 

 well drained and filled with sandy soil. It is well where seeds are few 

 to make shallow holes equally all over the surface of the soil with the 

 point of a finger and to put the seed into each, as the plants later on 

 get plenty of space. They become quite strong before it is needful to 

 dibble them off into other pans, or shallow boxes, or singly into small pots 

 before planting out in May. A temperature of about 60 degrees is neces- 

 sary for raising the seed. Of course, in the case of named varieties, it 

 is necessary to raise them from cuttings, and a variety called Miss Will- 

 mott, with large rose-pink flowers, must be treated in this way. Warley, 

 also raised by Miss Willmott, is a brilliant scarlet, and very free-flowering. 

 Cuttings of Verbenas should be put in a cold frame in August, or even 

 a bell-glass will suffice. Select young, strong, healthy shoots without 

 flower buds. One may use either a shallow pan or a pot for the cuttings. 

 Put them two inches apart in almost pure sand, and keep them near 

 the glass in a temperature of 45 degrees. Under these conditions and 

 very careful watering, there should be little damping off. Cuttings in a 

 temperature of 60 degrees strike easily in spring. 



