in Hnra 



Encyclopaedia of Gardening 247 



in duration, some being annuals and others perennials. The 

 majority are low growers and ramble freely, so that they may be 

 used for rockwork or for hanging pans. The three-fold character of 

 the foliage of the species Acetosella has led to its being sold as 

 Shamrock; the flowers are white, and are produced in spring; the 

 plant will thrive in a cool, shady part of the rockery. Beyond this 

 the most popular species are cernua, spring, greenhouse, yellow, 

 good for hanging pans ; corniculata rubra, yellow flowers and purple 

 foliage, hardy; Deppei, red flowers in spring, greenhouse; flori- 

 bunda, rose, greenhouse, spring, perhaps the most generally useful 

 of all (see the Botanical Register, t. 1123); Ortgiesii, yellow, green- 

 house, summer; purpurata (syn. Bowieana), purple, greenhouse, 

 autumn; and rosea, rose, greenhouse, spring (Botanical Magazine, 

 tt. 2145 and 2830). The hardy kinds will thrive in ordinary soil. 

 Those in pots or pans may have loam, lightened with leaf mould 

 and sand. Several are tuberous and form offsets, by which they 

 may be propagated ; the herbaceous sorts may be divided. 



Ox-eye Daisy, Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum. 

 Oxlip, Primula elatior. 



Oxyura (oxyu-ra. Ord. Compositae). O. chrysanthemoides is a 

 yellow hardy annual, synonymous with Layia Calliglossa. For 

 culture, see Annuals. 



Paeonia, Paeony (paeo-nia, after Dr. Paeon. Ord. Ranuncula- 

 ceae). See Flower Garden. 



Palm, Date, Phoenix dactylifera. 

 Palma Christi, Ricinus communis. 



Palms. These noble plants serve several useful purposes. As 

 large specimens they are good for forming bold groups in conserva- 

 tories and halls and on platforms; while as small plants they are 

 good for rooms. They are distinguished by broad, generally deep 

 green and often elegantly cut leaves. In most cases they are easy 

 to grow, but all are not equally suitable for growing into large speci- 

 mens or for rooms. They are raised from seed, which are put in 

 pots and plunged in bottom heat. The majority will thrive in a 

 compost of loam (3 parts), leaf mould or decayed manure (i part), 

 and sand. Nice plants can be grown in 6-in. pots. They do not 

 need frequent repotting, and it should only be done when the pots 

 get crowded with roots ; in this case act in spring. The pots should 

 be well drained (see Drainage), as a good deal of water will be 

 required in the growing season. Very little need be given in winter. 

 It is an aid to keeping room palms healthy to stand them outside 

 when a soft shower is falling in summer. Otherwise the foliage 

 should be sponged once a week with soft, lukewarm water. Weak 

 liquid manure may be given once a week when the plants are well 

 rooted. Soot -water, with half an ounce of superphosphate per 

 gallon, is excellent. The following are useful palms: Areca (or 

 Chrysalidocarpus) lutescens (r), Chamaerops humilis, Cocos Wedde- 

 iiana, Geonoma gracilis (r), Kentia (or Howea) Belmoreana (r), 

 K. Forsteriana, Latania borbonica (Livistona chinensis) (r), Livi- 



