THE ELOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 
235 
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 overhead 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 begin to 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 continue long in good health. If green-fly should attack your 
plants, fumigate with tobacco ; for if the fly once gets ahead, the 
plants will never recover sufficiently to give satisfaction. Mildew is 
another enemy which must be looked after. As soon as it is per- 
ceived, dust the plants with a little sulphur, which will stop it from 
doing much mischief. 
LINUM TRIG-YNUM. 
H HIS is a showy and useful plant for autumn and early 
j winter decoration, producing, as it does, its large, bright 
I yellow blossoms freely for some two or three months 
together, and if guarded from damp, the individual 
' flowers remain a comparatively long time in perfection. 
The temperature of an intermediate house is, however, necessary 
during the period the plant is in bloom, for if kept in an ordinary 
greenhouse the flowers will be produced but scantily, and their 
beauty will be but short-lived, whereas, if afforded a temperature of 
from 50° to 55°, well-grown plants will be very attractive objects 
for a considerable time. I will suppose that young plants are in 
hand early in spring, and although this i3 their natural season of 
rest, yet with the view of securing a long season of growth, they 
may be placed in a growing temperature about the middle of March. 
Choose a situation near the glass, where a moist atmosphere can be 
maintained with a moderate circulation of air, when the state of the 
weather will permit, and let the temperature range from 50° or 55° 
by night to 60° or 65° with sun-heat. Take an early opportunity, 
after placing the plants in growing circumstances, to examine the 
state of the roots, and repot such as may require it. Unless, how- 
ever, the pots are moderately filled with roots, it will be better to 
clear away any unkind soil, and thoroughly repair the drainage, re- 
potting in the same sized pots until the roots have acquired a 
healthy condition, which, with careful attention, will soon be the 
case ; the plants should then be afforded a liberal shift — say, into 
pots two sizes larger than those in which they have been growing. 
Syringe overhead morning and evening, but apply water cautiously 
to the soil for a week or two after potting, for the roots are im- 
patient of overmuch moisture, and if the fresh soil is overwatered 
and allowed to become sodden, the health of the plant will be 
injured, and there will be considerable difficulty in getting it to 
make a vigorous start. 
August. 
