226 THE FLORIST AND 



flower-pots) to within a quarter of an inch of the top with silver-sand, and 

 pour in water sufficient to cover the sand. I then make the cuttings in the 

 usual way, and push them into the wet sand ; put the labels to them, and 

 place them in a hot-bed frame where the heat ranges from 65 to 70 degrees, al- 

 ways keeping the sand wet. The advantages to be realized by propagating 

 the Verbena in this way are, that the cuttings never require to be shaded 

 in the brightest sunshine, consequently the young plants are not drawn up 

 long and lanky ; the cuttings never stop growing from the time they are put 

 in until they are ready to pot off, which is in about six or seven days, when 

 they may be drawn out of the wet sand, with a bunch of roots, without injur- 

 ing a single fibre. The best time to commence operations for growing speci- 

 men Verbenas in pots is February, or as soon as vegetation commences for 

 the season. It is desirable to pot a few of the best autumn-struck plants for 

 the sake of early bloom ; but they never make such handsome specimens, nor 

 continue so long in good health, as the plants raised from the cuttings in the 

 spring. As soon as the cuttings are well rooted, they should be potted into 

 3-inch pots, and placed in a gentle heat for a few days, until they are estab- 

 lished in the pots ; then top them, and harden them by degrees ; never allow 

 them to remain long in heat after they begin to grow, or they will form long 

 naked stems. As soon as the pots are filled with roots, shift into 6-inch ones, 

 and from these into 11-inch pots. During the growth of the plant, all shoots 

 must be stopped in order to cause the plants to grow bushy ; and never allow 

 them to flower until the plant is properly formed and has as many leading 

 shoots as are wanted. The compost in which I grow the Verbena, is equal 

 parts turfy loam, leaf-mould and peat, with a little silver-sand added to keep 

 the soil open. I water twice a-week with liquid manure, and occasionally 

 syringe over head with clean water to cleanse the foliage. If the saving of 

 the seed is no object, all flowers ought to be cut off as soon as they decay. 



I need scarcely add, that the grand secret in the successful culture of this, 

 as well as of all plants is efficient drainage; without this no plant will con- 

 tinue long in good health. If green-fly should attack your plants, fumigate 

 with tobacco ; for if the fly once gets a-head, the plants will never recover 

 sufficiently to give satisfaction. Mildew is another enemy which must be 

 looked after. As soon as it is perceived, dust the plants with a little sul- 

 phur, which will stop it from doing much mischief. Y. — Qard. Chron. 



