Vaccineum Vitis-Idaea (Red Whortleberry).—­A neat native shrub which, with its flowers and clusters of bright red berries, is very attractive in autumn.  A rich, light, sandy soil, moist but well drained, is necessary, and the position should be sunny so as to ripen the berries.  It may be increased at any time by division.  It flowers from May to October.  Height, 9 in.

Valeriana.—­An ornamental hardy perennial.  It will succeed in any garden soil, and merely requires the same treatment as ordinary perennials.  It is readily increased by dividing the roots, and produces its flowers in July.  Height, 1 ft.

Vegetable Marrow.—­Sow in pots during March or April, and place in a cucumber frame or on a hotbed, and cover with a hand-glass.  Harden off, and plant out about the third week in May in ground previously prepared with a heavy dressing of good stable or farmyard manure, protecting the plants at night for the first week or so with a handglass or large flower-pot.  Do not allow the roots to feel the want of water, and keep a sharp look-out for slugs.  Seed may also be sown in May in the open.  The best way of proceeding in this case is to dig a pit 2 ft. deep and the same in width, fill it with fermenting manure, and put 1 ft. of light mould on top.  Let it remain for a week so that the soil may get warm, then sow the seed, and cover it with a hand-glass.  Train the shoots so that they may have plenty of room, and pinch off the tops when the plant has attained its desired length.

Venidium.—­Hardy annuals, which are best raised from seed sown early in March on a slight hotbed, and grown in turfy loam, or loam and peat.  They bloom in May.  Height, 1 ft.

Venus’s Car.—­See “Dielytra.”

Venus’s Looking-Glass (Specularia Speculum).—­A pretty hardy annual, bearing a profusion of Campanula-like flowers in July.  Suitable for beds, pots, hanging baskets, or rock-work.  It flourishes most in a compost of sandy loam and peat.  The seeds are best sown in autumn and wintered in a greenhouse, but they may be raised on a hotbed early in spring.  Cuttings of the young wood planted under glass root freely.  Height, 9 in.

Venus’s Navel Wort.—­A charming hardy annual for rock-work.  The seed should be sown early in spring in good garden mould.  Height, 6 in.

Veratum.—­Handsome foliage plants.  They are quite hardy, and delight in a rich soil.  July is the month in which they flower.  They may be raised from seed, or propagated by division.  Height, 5 ft.

Verbascum.—­A hardy annual, which produces a profusion of showy flowers in July, and is very suitable for the backs of borders.  It will thrive in any soil, and is easily raised from seed sown early in spring.  Height, 3 ft.