VERBENA. 
11 
is the common practice, and which bespeaks but very little judg¬ 
ment or merit. Indeed, under these circumstances, their bona 
fide properties cannot be defined by the censors, and thus the 
system ought to be repudiated. 
The propagation of this charming little genus is so simple 
and so readily performed, that it would seem almost superfluous 
on my part to offer any remarks relative thereto, but as there 
are various modes of accomplishing one and the same object, 
and from the many one invariably proves preferable to the others, 
I tender the following as the best so far as my experience is 
concerned. It not unfrequently happens that after Verbenas, 
especially the free-flowering sorts, have been blooming through 
the summer, that it is rather difficult to obtain free-rooting 
cuttings at the season when they are required for a supply for 
the subsequent spring, for oftimes in the autumn they are sub¬ 
jected to mildew, and again their shoots are, comparatively speak¬ 
ing, dry, and not in a condition to root very freely, and if they 
are struck after a late growth they are apt to go off through not 
being able to resist the damps of winter ; thus experience teaches 
us the best way to avoid these evils is to strike somewhat early 
whilst the plants are in a free-growing state ; by this practice 
the plants become established and are wintered with very little 
difficulty. 
But in my opinion in those establishments where early forcing 
is carried on, or where artificial heat can be commanded at all, 
it is much the best to propagate in the spring months ; these 
i 
with due care generally make the best stuff for turning out. 
I am not an advocate for gardeners becoming nurserymen, but I 
think no place ought to be without a convenient structure for 
propagating, as some thousands of plants are required even in 
ordinary-sized pleasure-grounds, many gardeners are often 
puzzled to know what to do for a supply adequate to the space 
they have to fill, and to perform this operation in those pits, 
frames, &c., in which permanent crops are growing, frequently 
subjects them to much inconvenience. But supposing circum¬ 
stances to be favorable, the cultivator having ample means for 
propagating in the spring, he only requires a few established 
plants to winter through for the above purpose, as from one 
strong plant fifty may be obtained in a very short time; this is a 
