182 THE PRACTICAL GARDEN -BOOK 



surface of the soil, composed of equal parts loam, leaf-mold 

 and sand. The seed should be pressed down lightly and 

 the soil watered carefully to prevent the seed from being 

 washed into the soil. Very fine sphagnum moss may be 

 sifted over the seed, or the box set in a moist place, 

 where the soil will remain wet until the seeds germinate. 

 When the plants are large enough they should be potted sep- 

 arately or pricked out into shallow boxes. Frequent pottings 

 or transplantings should be given until September, when they 

 should be in the pots in which they are to bloom. 

 The two essentials to successful growth through 

 the hot summer are shade and moisture. Height 

 6 to 8 inches. Bloom in winter and spring. 



At present the "baby Primrose" (Primula 

 Forbesi) is popular. It is treated in essentially 

 the same way as the Sinensis. All Primulas 

 are impatient of a dry atmosphere and flue- / 



improper way to tuating conditions. NJ 



make the wound r 



Prince's Feather. See Amarantus. 



Prunes are varieties of plums with 

 firm, meaty flesh, and which readily make 

 dried fruit. Some of the Prunes are com- 

 mercially grown in the East, but they are Before 

 sold in the green state as other plums are ; 

 and they are adapted to all the uses of 

 other plums. Prunes are cultivated like 



Proper way . , , 



other plums. 



Pruning. There are two general types of 



inquiry connected with the question of Pruning: 

 First, that which has to do with the healing of the 

 wounds; and second, that which has to do with the 

 shaping of the top and the general welfare of the tree. Aft 

 When a limb is cut off, it heals by being covered 

 with callus tissue, which grows out from the cambium zone 

 between the bark and wood and rolls over the face of the 



