CULTTTRE OF THE GENUS VERBENA, 
33 
early as is consistent they should be excited to grow, and will shortly require fresh 
potting-, which should be done as soon as the roots have penetrated through the 
soil to the sides of the pot ; at this shifting, twenty-four sized pots should be used, 
and the plants placed where they can enjoy an abundance of light and air ; this 
cannot be better effected than by placing them near the front of the greenhouse. 
At this stage water should be given, so as just to keep the soil moist. In about a 
month or six v/eeks after this they will need an additional supply of pot room, 
which should be given without delay. The shoots now will be found to have 
increased in strength and number, and if frequently shifted, increasing the size of 
the pot at each shift, until they finally reach to number one, in which they may be 
allowed to flower, the progress made will be surprising. During their growth, 
which will continue without intermission, some of the flower-buds which have made 
their appearance should be pinched off, for, if allowed to remain on, will rob them of 
a portion of their strength and consequently their growth will be retarded. After 
they have received their last shift, no more buds should be plucked, for, if any more 
be destroyed, the ultimate beauty of the plant will be impaired. But whether the 
branches, which at this stage will have grown three or four feet long, are to be trained to 
a treUis, or allowed to hang over the sides of the pots, must be determined by the 
taste of the possessor. We have them upon both systems at Chatsworth, and find 
both to answer admirably, the branches of many growing the length of four or five 
feet, entirely covering the pot over which they hang, or hiding the trellis to which 
they are trained ; and when elevated in a conspicuous part of the greenhouse, or 
placed in a warm part of the flower-garden, the effect they give is truly grand, a 
continual display of loveliness being maintained until the frost sets in. And to try 
to what pitch of excellence this plant can be brought, we propose plunging a 
plant or plants into a good rich border, and training them to a trellis on the hot wall, 
with other beautiful and valuable plants. The result we shall treat of in its place. 
Verbena auhletia, or rose Vervain, is also a beautiful plant, well adapted to flower- 
garden purposes. Its pretty lacinate leaves, and solitary corymbs of purple flowers, 
entitle it to extensive cultivation. It is a perennial plant, requiring the protection 
of the greenhouse during winter, yet, if well covered with leaves or straw mats, it 
endures the intensity of the winter. Cuttings of the young shoots will take freely 
if put in sand and placed under a bell glass ; this should be done about the month 
of August. It may also be increased by layers, which should be pinned down as 
the growth of the shoot advances; good loam and sandy peat suit this best. 
Verbena paniculata is not so handsome as the other species. It is a hardy 
perennial, and does well with the treatment required for V. aubletia. Its flowers 
are blue, and produced on an erect stem. 
Verbena venosa, or strong-nerved Vervain, is another beautiful plant of this 
genus, and planted in the flower-garden it flowers prolificly ; either single, or a number 
grouped together, they have a very pleasing effect. Its flowers are of a rich purple 
colour, produced on a kind of forked spike. It is propagated freely by cuttings planted 
in common rich soil, but the most ready way is by dividing the roots, which is easily 
done, as it throws up many suckers. It requires the protection during the winter, 
VOL. III. — NO. XXVI. F 
