VERBENA. Vervain. Some years ago, and until this plant began to be severely attacked with rust, on the cutting bench, it was perhaps the most popular of plants both for the window and for bedding purposes. Its pretty trusses of flowers, in almost endless variety of color, and its profuse blooming, whether in the open ground in summer, or in the window in winter, made it universally sought after. It is adapted both to pot or vase, and will continue to bloom almost the whole winter if kept rather cool at night,and with plenty of sun during the day. Out of doors it will stand any temperature above actual freez ing, and if protected during frosty nights will continue to bloom late in the fall. In the room 65° during the day, and not below 45° at night will keep the plants healthy, if care be taken to keep the leaves free of dust and insects. Water only when dry, and then liberally, never allowing water to stand in the saucers, and in mild weather give air in plenty, either hy opening the win dow or settinz them on the porch in a still atmosphere. It is usual now to depend upon
seedlings. Sow the seed in a bot bed the first of March, prick out into three inch pots when large enough and transfer to the open ground as soon as danger of frost is over, setting the plants one foot apart. They should commence to bloom about the first of June and continue in bloom all the season. There are a number of species indigenous to the United States, North, among them, Vervain angustifalia; Hastata, or blue vervain; T7: urticifolia, white vervain; V. 8trieta, hoary vervain ; offleinalis, common vervain ; V. bractio8a and 17: anbletia. The first, second and third named are found East and West. Offici nalis was introduced from Europe. The rest are western species; the last named being a well known prairie flower, and is sometimes cultivated.