de Louvain for cooking; and Kirke, Coe's Golden Drop, and Jefferson
for dessert. For pyramids and bushes, Victoria, Early Prolific, Prince
Engelbert, Sultan, and Belgian Purple are good sorts. In orchards
Plums should stand 20 ft. apart.
Poa Trivalis.--A very pretty, dwarf-growing, variegated grass. Plant
in a moist situation in a rich, light, loamy soil. It is increased
either by seed or division.
Podocarpus.--See "Cephalotaxus."
Podolepis.--Hardy annuals bearing yellow and red and white flowers. A
mixture of loam and peat is most suitable for their growth. They are
easily raised from seed sown in March, and bloom from June to August.
Height, 1-1/2 ft.
Podophyllum Peltatum (Duck's Foot, or May Apple).--Grown chiefly
for its foliage and berries, this hardy herbaceous perennial forms a
pleasing spectacle when planted in moist soil under trees; it likewise
makes a splendid pot-plant. A mixture of peat and chopped sphagnum is
what it likes. The pots are usually plunged in wet sand or ashes on
a northern border. It is propagated by cutting the roots into pieces
several inches in length, with a good bud or crown on each. During May
and June the plant produces small white Dog-rose-like flowers. Height,
1 ft.
Poinsettia Pulcherrima.--A stove evergreen shrub which produces lovely
crimson bracts in the winter. Plant in sandy loam, give plenty of
water to the roots, and syringe the leaves frequently. In early spring
cut down the branches to within three or four eyes of the old wood.
These cuttings, if laid aside for a day to dry and then planted under
glass, will form new plants. It flowers in April. Height, 2 ft.
Polemonium (Jacob's Ladder).--Hardy perennial border plants of an
ornamental character and of the easiest culture. Any soil suits them,
and they merely require sowing in the open either in spring or autumn.
P. Richardsoni is most commonly met with, its blue flowers being
produced in early autumn. Height, 1-1/2 ft.
Polyanthus.--Sow the seed late in autumn in well-drained boxes of
light, rich mould; cover it very lightly, place under glass, and water
sparingly, but give enough to keep the plants moist. The seed requires
no artificial heat to germinate it. The roots should be divided each
year as soon as they have flowered, and fresh soil given. The single
varieties only are florists' flowers. The Polyanthus is a species of
primrose, grows best in a rather shady position in a loam and peat
compost, and produces its flowers in May. Height, 6 in.
Polygala Chamaesbuxus.--A hardy evergreen trailing plant requiring
a peat soil in which to grow. It may be increased from seed or by
division of the roots. May is the time at which it blooms. Height, 6
in.