Among a collection of choice verbenas ordered last spring, we discovered one of the newer sorts, labeled Hybrida, presenting a vigor similar in character to none of its companions. The robust attitude and remarkable beauty exhibited by this new verbena after a few months' cultivation, received the unanimous approbation of floral critics in this locality. And at the request of co-workers in the garden, we will attempt a plain description for The Horticulturist.

Branches from three and a half to four feet long, very strong and robust with a natural tendency to spread, and almost entirely covering the whole area of surface three to four feet from the center each way. Each branch divides itself at mid-way into lateral shoots, that keep pace in growth and vigor with the main branches, and spread in masses as they near the end. Numerous suckers form a bushy, upright column in the center, giving the whole a finish that is both unique and attractive. Leaves dark green, long and lanceolate, deeply veined, and of a thick, soft texture, edges deeply notched, each alternate notch larger and deeper, and tapering gently towards the top. Petals pure white, quite durable and shaped like the letter B.

The plant at the time of this writing displays forty-seven trusses of blossoms with almost a corresponding number hastening to maturity. Each truss averages from two and a half to three inches in diameter, and rounds off compact and solid like the large end of a very large egg.

An out-of-the-way corner of our flower garden is termed the reservation, where various kinds of bedding plants are sunk with pots in tan bark, and there reserved to fill vacancy, decorative purposes, etc. The tan bark is kept in continual moisture with strong solutions extracted from fresh manures, chicken mould, etc. A portion of this fluid is designed to soak through the pots and convey to the plants pure and moderate nourishment.

Scientists perhaps would be slow in approving this mode of artificial manuring. The flower pots act the part of a very fine sieve in this case, only absorbing the purer substances from the strong solution poured outside through the porous sides of the pots.

The roots by this process receive a pure and invigorating food in a calm dewy vapor that is beneficial to the health, growth and blossoms of the plants. If the extract thus poured outside is not capable of keeping the roots moist enough, we apply pure unadulterated water sprinkled broadcast on the surface of the pots inside and outside.

V. Hybrida was detailed on the reserve and made rapid progress in a four-inch pot plunged in the tan bark. The gigantic and prolific proportions of branches, leaves and blossoms so astonished a fellow gardener, that he suggested something about transferring it into a basket. Capital idea, thought we, and V . Hybrida was accordingly removed into a basket. The new golden drooping basket plant Lysimachia numunullaria aurea, was planted around the edges of the basket, and acted a noble part in filling the vacant interstices between the branches with its bright yellow foliage, and contrasting finely in sublime harmony with the dark green leaves and large blossoms of the verbena.

The weight of the foliage bends the strong verbena branches downward, and assumes a drooping pendulous character very picturesque in aspect and simplicity. The blossoms in large bunches on short, thick peduncles bend gently outward, giving the whole scene a finish both interesting and beautiful. When the blossoms show signs of decay, they are quickly removed together with the joint they emanated from. This causes the rudiment of young branches to force from the joints that will bloom by the time the older branches are getting exhausted.