218 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



is tuberous or fusiform rooted, of easy culture, and perfectly 

 hardy. It is a native of Switzerland, and other parts of 

 Europe, and has been in cultivation about one hundred 

 years. The most splendid variety is the P. whitlegii, a 

 large white, of splendid appearance, and fragrant. P. 

 fragrans is a rose color, possessing the odor and color 

 of the rose, and is frequently called the Rose Pa?ony. P. 

 humcii is a pink. All three are double and fine, and desi- 

 rable in all well arranged gardens of moderate size, but 

 too large for a small one. It is increased by dividing the 

 root in the fall. 



For new varieties, the seed should bo sown in Septem- 

 ber, or early in the spring, in a box or pan, drilled in about 

 half an inch deep. When the plants come up, they must 

 be kept clean and be watered moderately in dry weather. 

 It will take several years before the seedlings flower : they 

 must be top-dressed every fall, and require some protection 

 for the first two seasons ; to save trouble they may be plant- 

 ed in the open ground. Although perfectly hardy, it is 

 best to have the roots covered with old manure. If it is 

 desired to increase these plants, it must be done with a 

 knife, leaving an eye to every piece that has fibres. This 

 should be done in October ; and if the roots are not too 

 small, they will flower the next spring. 



This variety should never be removed in the spring, if 

 it can be avoided, as it will not do so well ; besides, it will 

 prevent the plant from flowering that season. The shrubby 

 kind is a splendid variety ; if allowed to remain out of 

 doors, it will require a slight protection, and, in conse- 

 quence of flowering early, the flowers are likely to suffer 

 from the effects of spring frost. It is also increased by 



