176 [ THE POMEGRANATE 



contain pelletierine, a very active anthelminthic principle, 

 which is also found in the bark of the stems, and espe- 

 cially in the roots. 



SOIL AND SITUATION. The pomegranate thrives well 

 in all soils and all situations; it is but little affected 

 by stagnant humidity, and delights in cool and moist 

 situations. It is one of the trees more often planted 

 in the yards of country houses, for which purpose it 

 is eminently suitable, chiefly on account of its powerful 

 root-system which effectually dries up all moisture from 

 the foundations of the building, in addition to the fact 

 that the tree is leafless in winter, and its light foliage 

 does not obstruct too much the rays of the sun in 

 summer. It is generally planted along with other fruit 

 trees in the gardens at the head of valleys or in 

 ravines, where it soon establishes itself and requires 

 no further attention beyond hoeing twice or thrice a 

 year, and an occasional pruning. It is also quite at 

 home along the boundary stone-walls of fields, even 

 in exposed situations, and it would make an excellent 

 and remunerative hedge-bush if so desired. Under good 

 cultivation, and on good and moist lands its growth is 

 very rapid, and is very productive. For this reason it is 

 frequently planted along the watercourses on irrigated 

 lands, where its presence is not considered detrimental 

 to the vegetables grown in its neighbourhood. 



PROPAGATION. The pomegranate is easily grown 

 from seed, and chance seedlings are met with every- 

 where in gardens and valleys. Sometimes there is a 

 reversion to the sour type of the wild pomegranate, 

 but usually there are only slight variations from the 

 type as sown. The seed should be sown soon after 

 maturity, or if that is not possible, it should be stratified, 

 and the*n sown in spring; but the pomegranate is so 

 readily propagated by other methods, that nobody 

 thinks of propagating it by seed. 



