278 TREES AND SHRUBS 



The Almonds flower early naturally, and under 

 glass, of course, earlier still ; the variety purpurea is 

 one of the best, while a distinct species, P. (Amyg- 

 dalus) davidiana and its variety alba, are also suitable 

 for growing under glass. The Peaches (Persica) form 

 a delightful group, all available for flowering under 

 glass ; indeed, they respond readily to gentle forcing, 

 hence may be had in bloom by March. There are 

 several varieties, the flowers ranging in colour from 

 white, through pink, to crimson, and double as well 

 as single. One of the finest forms is magnified, a 

 Japanese variety, semi-double, and brilliant carmine 

 crimson in colour. The purple-leaved Peach is very 

 charming. 



Of the true Plums, special mention must be made 

 of the dark-leaved variety of the Cherry Plum, known 

 as Primus Pissardi, of the pretty little P.japonica alba 

 plena, and japonica rosea plena, more generally known 

 in gardens as P. sinensis, which has slender shoots, 

 wreathed for the greater part of their length with 

 double rosette-like flowers, and the charming pink 

 semi-double P. triloba. All these forms of Prunus 

 will, if they have been regularly transplanted, lift well 

 in the autumn and flower without a check. They are 

 also quite satisfactory if kept altogether in pots when 

 spurred back after flowering and encouraged to make 

 free and well-ripened growth during the summer 

 months, when they should be plunged out of doors in 

 a sunny spot. 



PYRUS. The very beautiful P. floribunda is quite 

 happy under this treatment, and P. or Cydonia japonica 



