AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA 
OF HORTICULTURE. 
19 
Panicum—continued. 
P. plicatum niveo-vittatum (plaited, snowy-striped).* 1. finel 
banded with longitudinal stripes of pure white, oanad, 
1868. A prettily marked, strong- AIET SE sane variety, thriving 
in the stove or greenhouse. (F. d. S. 1745-4.) 
P. 8 bile (remarkable). Caapim de Angola. fl., spikes 
numerous, the superior ones exceeding their internodes ; spikelets 
four to six-seriate. l. long, lanceolate, acuminate, glabrescent, 
Jamaica, Brazil, &c. n 
P. variegatum (varie 
ted).* Z. white-striped and pink-tinted, 
lanceolate, with gracefully-waved margins. Tropical Asia, &c., ` 
1867. An elegant little greenhouse variegated perennial, ex- 
tremely pretty when grown in a basket. It should be kept in 
heat during winter. Propagated freely from cuttings. The 
correct name of this plant is Oplismenus Burmanni variegatus. 
Fic. 25. PANICUM VIRGATUM, 
T atum (twiggy). i Jl., panicle branches at first erect or 
ascending, afterwards extensively spreading or drooping. Summer. 
l. linear, flat, very long. A. 3ft. to 5ft. North America, 1781. 
A very ornamental perennial species, growing in large, handsome 
tufts. See Fig. 25. 
PANNOSE. Resembling coarse cloth in texture or 
appearance, 
PANSY (Viola tricolor). Under the name of Hearts- 
ease, and several other popular designations, this plant 
has long been grown in gardens, where its flowers have 
been amongst those most generally favoured by rich and 
poor alike. This can scarcely be wondered at, consider- 
ing the ease with which Pansies may be grown by almost 
anyone, the wonderful diversity in colour and marking 
which the different flowers exhibit, and the ornamental 
and floriferous habit the plants assume. Even those who 
are not sufficiently interested in Pansies to grow a col- 
m lection of named varieties, may procure a packet of mixed 
seeds, and raise any quantity of plants, that will scarcely 
= less ornamental for the hardy flower garden or mixed 
rder. 
Propagation. Pansies are readily multiplied by seeds, 
cuttings, and, sometimes, by layers. Seeds may be sown 
at, almost any time of year; but, as planting out is best 
performed in spring or early autumn, it is advisable to 
sow with a view to preparing plants for these two 
seasons—namely, in June for transplanting in autumn, 
and in August or September, for spring. The seeds should 
be sown in pans of light soil, covered slightly, and placed 
in a very gentle heat, or in a cold frame. They soon 
germinate, and the seedlings, when large enough to 
handle, should be pricked out in an unheated frame, or 
in boxes. Before planting outside, it is important that 
good roots be formed, and that balls of soil should adhere 
to them; on this condition, much of the after-success 
depends. Pansy cuttings strike readily towards the latter 
part of summer, in cold frames, or in a cool, shady 
border, such as that alongside a wall or hedge, facing 
north. Side-shoots are to be preferred for cuttings; 
they may frequently be procured from the base with 
roots already formed. The soil should be of a sandy 
nature, and it should be pressed firmly around the cut- 
Pansy—continued. 
tings at the time of inserting. Plants so obtained may 
be placed in their permanent quarters in autumn, or in 
a prepared border, with a view to lifting them again 
with better roots and with balls of soil. Layering may 
be recommended for increasing good varieties that pro- 
duce but few base shoots; and division of the old plants, 
in August and September, is, in some instances, a profit- 
able method, because such a quantity of rooted plants 
may be obtained. Where a large stock of Pansies has 
to be kept up, it will be necessary to keep inserting 
cuttings all through the season. 
Cultivation. Pansies, for ordinary garden decoration, 
will thrive in almost any soil, without special treatment, 
provided the position is neither too hot nor too dry. It 
is principally on account of their preference for a cool, 
moist bottom that the plants succeed so much better, 
generally, in the northern parts of Britain than in the 
southern. If good culture and generous treatment are 
accorded by the special preparation of beds for, at least, 
all the choicer varieties, flowers of greater size and sub- 
stance may be obtained, and the flowering season may 
also be considerably prolonged thereby. This becomes 
well-nigh a necessity, if exhibiting is attempted, as only 
large flowers with all their qualities properly developed 
are of any use. Fibry loam, thoroughly decomposed cow- 
manure, or horse droppings, and some sharp sand or 
road grit, should be used for digging in with the ordi- 
nary soil, which it is essential should also be of a good 
depth. A mulching of old potting soil, leaf mould, and 
other manure may be given as a top-dressing, so soon as 
the flowering season begins, and again later on. Such. 
mulchings have a wonderful effect in dry, hot weather 
by keeping the ground cool, and, to a great extent, pre- 
venting evaporation. Deep planting is also recommended, 
as it places the roots in a much cooler and more moist 
medium than if they were near the surface. A position 
neither too much exposed to the mid-day sun, nor 
over-shadowed by trees, should, if possible, be selected 
for growing Pansies, when fine flowers are desired. 
When a southern aspect is, for some reason, unavoid- 
able, a light shading of tiffany is sometimes employed for 
a few hours each hot day along the sunny side. Strong 
plants for early flowering, placed in their permanent 
quarters in September, should be protected, in case of 
severe weather, with some light litter. Spring planting 
should be attended to as early as weather permits, say, 
the end of February, or early in March, in order that 
the roots may become the better established before hot 
weather arrives. When watering is necessary in summer, 
a good soaking should be given, and this only in the 
evening. Slight waterings are frequently more injurious 
than beneficial. If flowers for exhibition are required, 
only about four or six main shoots should be allowed 
each plant; others being pinched off occasionally as 
they are formed. All blossoms may also be removed 
until about three weeks before a show; this tends to 
strengthen the plants, and increase the size of their 
flowers. 
Culture in Pots. Where this method of growing 
Pansies is adopted, strong plants should be inserted in 
Ain. pots early in October, and be placed in a cold frame, 
with a south aspect. Plenty of air and light are essential. 
During mild weather, the sashes should be removed: 
when it is frosty, coverings are preferable to artificial 
heat. In February, the plants should be transferred into 
7in. or Sin. pots, using plenty of drainage, and a rich, 
open soil. By keeping the shoots tiéd out, and the 
flower-buds pinched off, good plants soon develop. From 
April onwards, frames with a northern aspect would be 
better, on account of being cooler. 
Varieties. Of these the number may almost be said to 
be legion, so great a variation in colour and markings do 
the plants represent, See Fig. 26. There are two sections 
