1000 
in the open. The pot grown plants should 
be set at least ten inches apart and seed- 
lings from seed sown in the open had best 
be thinned to stand at least eight inches 
apart. 
The Scotch Pink, or Grass Pink 
Dianthus plumarius 
The Scotch pink is a hardy dianthus, 
which, when treated as an annual in like 
manner as the sweet william, gives very 
satisfactory results. The delicately fring- 
ed, variously colored, fragrant flowers give 
the plant an odd yet attractive appear- 
ance. 
The flowers of all the plants of this 
group are most satisfactory for bouquets 
and table decoration because of the length 
of time they will keep in a fresh and 
attractive condition after being cut and 
placed in water. 
Verbena 
The verbena is a low growing annual, 
with a decumbent or creeping habit. The 
flowers are borne on terminal or lateral 
shoots, which lift themselves from five 
to seven inches off the ground, and when 
grown in mass the plants will form a mat 
which in full bloom will give the soil 
the appearance of having a carpet of flow- 
ers. Because of the ability of the plant to 
form a compact growth and produce a 
wealth of flowers over a long period, the 
verbena is frequently used as a bedding 
plant where carpet bedding effects are 
desired. The contrasting colors in the 
varieties which come true from seed al- 
low of securing pleasing combinations 
of colors which are effective where low 
growing plants can be used. The length 
of stem and the texture of the flower are 
such that the verbena is of value for bou- 
quets and table decorations. The ver- 
bena can be used with good effect in beds, 
borders, mounds, and in window boxes. 
While the verbena grows readily from 
cuttings and from layers, seedling plants 
are more vigorous and as a rule produce 
better flowers. For the earliest bloom in 
the latitude of Washington, D. C., sow the 
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 
seeds early in February in a moderately 
warm living room or greenhouse. For 
general outdoor planting the seeds may be 
sown about March 10, either in a living 
room, hotbed, or greenhouse. Soak the 
seed a few hours in tepid water and sow 
in seed boxes filled with light, rich soil; 
cover one-fourth of an inch deep, press 
down firmly, and water sparingly. When 
the seedlings are about an inch high trans- 
plant them into other boxes, placing the 
young plants two or three inches apart 
each way. If thumb pots are available 
use these in place of boxes. When plant- 
ing out time arrives choose a _ bright, 
Sunny situation. Make the soil rich and 
compact rather than light, but in all cases 
provide good drainage. Set the young 
plants 10 to 15 inches apart each way and 
give good cultivation until they cover the 
ground. With such treatment the ver- 
bena should give continuous bloom from 
early summer until killed by frost. 
Zinnia (Youth-and-Old-Age) 
The zinnia is easily grown from seed 
sown in the open ground. When sown 
in April the plants will bloom abundantly 
and continuously through the entire sea- 
son. Of late, great improvements have 
been wrought both in the color and form 
of the flower. During the month of 
August zinnias are at their best. To se- 
cure large flowers and a profusion of 
bloom the plants must be given ample 
room for full development, as well as an 
abundant supply of food. Strong, rich 
soils suit the zinnia. If the seeds are 
sown in a dwelling house or in a hotbed 
in March and the young plants are prick- 
ed out once or twice before being placed 
in their permanent situations more satis- 
factory results will be secured than from 
outdoor sown seeds unless equal care in 
thinning or transplanting is given. The 
plants can be used for groups, beds, bor- 
ders, garden lines, and summer hedges. 
Their average height is one and one-half 
feet. 
L. C. CorBETT, 
Washington, D. C. 
