AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORTICULTURE. 



19 



Panicum continued. 



P. pllcatum nlveo-vlttatum (plaited, snowy-striped).* I. finely 

 banded with longitudinal stripes of pure white, broad-plaited. 

 1868. A prettily marked, strong-growing, garden yariety, toriring 

 in the stove or greenhouse. (F. d. S. 1743-4.) 



P. spectabile (remarkable). Caapim de Angola. JL, spikes 

 numerous, the superior ones exceeding their internodes ; spikelets 

 four to six-seriate. 1. long, lanceolate, acuminate, glabrescent 

 Jamaica, Brazil, Ac. 



P. variegatum (variegated).* I. 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 Optirmenut Burmanni variegatvt. 



Pansy 



tinned. 



FIG. 25. PANICUM VIRGATUM. 



P. virgatum (twiggy).* JL, panicle branches at first erect or 

 ascending, afterwards extensively spreading or drooping. Summer. 

 1. linear, flat, very long. h. 3ft. to 5ft North America, 1781. 



A very ornamental perennial species, growing in large, handsome 

 tufts. See Fig. 25. 



PANXOSE. Resembling coarse cloth in texture or 



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 floriferons habit the plants assume. Even those who 

 are not sufficiently interested in Pansies to grow a col- 

 lection of named varieties, may procure a packet of mixed 

 seeds, and raise any quantity of plants, that will scarcely 

 be less ornamental for the hardy flower garden or mixed 

 border. 



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 nnheated 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- 



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 

 j with better roots and with balls of soil. Layering may 

 I be recommended for increasing good varieties that pro- 

 ' dnce 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 uor 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 n Pot*. Where this method of growing 

 Pansies is adopted, strong plants should be inserted in 

 4in. 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 

 Tin. or Sin. pots, using plenty of drainage, and a rich, 

 open soil. By keeping the shoots tied 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. 



Farietie*. 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 



