OF VEKBENAS. 
pots, until they are finally potted into eight or ten-inch pots, which \ 
should be in October. Keep the ends of the leading shoots \ 
pinched off, to cause the plants to grow bushy. In shifting them < 
the last time, place in the bottom of each pot a quantity of > 
broken crockery, or charcoal, for thorough drainage, and leave J 
ample space at the top, (say three-fourths of an inch,) for water 5 
sufficient to thoroughly soak the whole when watered. J 
A good compost for the Verbena may bo made as follows : \ 
Two parts leaf-mold, (gathered from old woods, by raking off the t 
leaves and scraping together the soil for two or three inches deep,) \ 
one part turfy loam, and one part silver sand. The loam may be ; 
obtained, by cutting the turfs from two to three inches in thick- I 
ness from the top of an old pasture, and should lie in a heap one > 
year, being frequently turned, before using. t 
To grow Verbenas successfully in the house, they must be t 
placed near a south window, where they will be fully exposed to i 
the sun. Give them a good airing each mild sunny day, by < 
raising the sash for a half hour or more, as this is of vital impor- \ 
tance, in (&ct indispensable, Jbr without plenty of J'resh air esm be \ 
no such thing as robust, healthy growth. The temperature of the t 
room in the vicinity of the plants, should range from fifty-five to 
sixty in the day time, and from forty to forty-five at night. High 
temperature at night causes the plants to spindle up and grow 
weak and sickly. Another very important item is judicious water- 
ing, never have stated times for doing this, but apply it only as the 
plants actually need it, or as the soil appears dry, it should then be 
done thoroughly, so that the entire ball of earth be saturated, and 
always pour off what falls into the saucer. Those pots which do 
not have the saucers attached, but are set into it, are far preferable 
to those which have them attached, as the drainage is much more 
perfect. 
As a fertilizer for the Verbena, the Sulphate of Ammonia will 
be found valuable, giving the foliage a dark-green, luxuriant, and 
healthy appearance ; it is economical, clean, and easily applied, 
and one of the best of all fertilizers for most house plants. Pre- 
15 
