The Verbena. 
SPlTl HERE is no class of plants which are 
“j superior to the Verbena for bedding-out 
purposes, or for fancifully shaped beds in 
the turf, where its brilliant flowers of many 
hues form a striking contrast with the viv¬ 
id green of the grass. 
The Verbena is a native of Buenos Ayres, 
and was introduced into England in 1825. 
but it was not imported into this country 
until nearly ten years later. Since then, 
however, it has been a great favorite with 
all classes and has fully maintained a front 
rank as a florist’s flower. In the last ten 
years it has gained largely in the size of the 
tresses and in the shapings and ef’es of the 
flowers. 
The Verbena readily adapts itself to all 
kinds of soil, not being at all particular in 
its tastes : yet it blossoms most abundantly 
m a rich but sandy soil, and it revels in the 
hottest sunshine. It is a plant of the easiest 
culture and will grow rapidly either from 
cuttings or see Is, 
Fresh young cuttings make very desirable 
plants and will blossom continuously for 
many ipVmths, forming 
“A rich carpet of unnrmbered dyes.” 
They are very quickly rooted in light, 
sandy soil kept moist and warm ; but the 
easiest way for an amateur is to root them 
in vials of water placed upon the window- 
si.elf or suspended from the sash. 
Thus treated, they will strike root in four 
or five days, arid as soon as the tiny white 
filaments are an inch in length put the cut¬ 
tings into the open ground, it it is warm 
enough ; or plant them in small thumb-pots 
for a while, to encourage root-growth, and. 
then plant in the open Ixirder where they 
will make largj plants by autumn. 
Plants raised from seed, however, will 
give much better satisfaction than those 
from cuttings, because they will bloom more 
abundantly and are not so apt to be attack¬ 
ed by root lice. Plant in light, warm soil, 
and keep well moistened and under glass. 
When the second leaves show themselves, 
transplant into open border or small pots. 
Verbenas are not dainty plants as regards 
soil, yet they will not bloom well in the 
same bed year after year unless the soil is 
changed or possesses the wondrous fertility 
of California gardens. A top-dressing of 
fine gravel or sand; after the plants have be¬ 
come well established in their beds, will in- 
: . i»o •••; 
crease their beauty. The sulphate of am¬ 
monia is an excellent fertilizer for Verbenas, 
and. indeed, for all bedding-out plants. 
Prepare it the night you wish to use it, by 
dissolving one ounce of it in two gallons of 
warm waUr. then sprinkle tire plants with 
it once a w eek. 
The varieties offered for the sehc i n of 
purchasers are innumerable, and each florist 
has his own favor.tes, or those of his own 
raisaig or naming .—Plural Cabinet. 
Tiie following method of raising young 
plants.of Fuchsias is said to he practiced by 
cottagers in the west of England, *Tn the 
autumn, after the host has destroyed the 
foliage, the wood ot the present season is 
cut off close Ur the ground, and laid like a 
sheaf of corn in a trench a foot deep. The 
bundle is covered with a few inches-.of soil, 
and here it remains until spring, when a 
multitude of young shoots may be seen 
pushing their way through. The soil is 
then carefully moved, and with a sharp 
knife a cut is made each side of a joirjft. and 
the result is rooted plants enough for the 
parish. The old stool throws up more vigor¬ 
ously than before, to lie served in the same 
way the following autumn.” 
