174 
THE VERBENA. 
been blinded, by some fatality, against one of the very best means 
of rendering their shows attractive, in which is combined all that 
brilliant and varied colours can do, together with a fragrance at 
once powerful and pleasing, presented in a form compact without 
being lumpish, neat and yet graceful; but though we have hitherto 
missed this desirable feature at our exhibitions, it is an error 
easily corrected in another season, for let them but offer prizes 
for the production of Verbenas in pots, and, from the very general 
extension of the genus, the reasonable prices at which the varieties 
may be bought, and the facilities for growing them which may 
be found in every garden, it is certain that the display would fully 
warrant any society in the outlay, and that the competition would 
be severe. The present paltry method of showing only cut 
blooms of Verbenas does not satisfy me, nor will anything less 
than the whole plant, and that in the perfection I know them 
capable of attaining. All of them are fitted to be trained so as 
to present a complete ball of vivid colours, but this point would 
of course be left to the judgment and taste of the exhibitor. It 
will only be necessary for the societies established for the purpose, 
and to whom, I bear willing testimony, horticulture is mainly 
indebted for its present position, —it will only be necessary for 
them to offer prizes of such value as shall afford a recompense 
for the trouble incurred, and to stipulate for whatever number of 
varieties they please, to be shown in pots of a certain size, to 
ensure a full attendance of really handsome objects. 
As to the manner in which these are to be produced, I presume 
all cultivators of any standing are perfectly acquainted with the 
very simple management necessary for the Verbena, but for the 
benefit of those less instructed, I subjoin the method most likely 
to answer. 
Let young plants be procured in March for the purpose. This 
is rather an essential point, as the old ones, or those which have 
been kept through the winter, though stronger now, will become 
shabby just at the time they are wanted in the best state ; young 
ones, however small, are therefore preferable. Let these be potted 
in moderate-sized pots, say forty-eights, and encouraged to grow 
so as to be able to stop them, as it is termed, twice before the 
middle of April; they will then have formed nice healthy little 
plants, and may at once be placed in the blooming pots. The 
