198 PALAVA 



PALA'VA continued. 



Propagate the seeds in pans or pots of light 

 sandy soil, A in. deep in temp. 60 to 65" in March 

 or April. In May transplant the seedlings out- 

 doors in ordinary soil, choosing a sunny position. 



PALMA CHRISTI. See EICINUS. 



PAPA'VER Poppy (from L. papaver, a poppy). Nat. 

 Ord. Papaveracece. 



There are probably no annual flowers that are 

 more gorgeous or that make a greater effect when 

 seen grouped together in a mass than the Poppies. 

 They look so irresistible on their long graceful 

 stems that one is fain to pluck them and carry 

 them away, an action, however, which is strongly 

 resented, as they wither directly. This is true of 

 most of the species, but there are some that are 

 not so unkind. The hardy little Iceland Poppy, 

 for instance (though not a true annual, but often 

 treated as a biennial), is not so ephemeral, and in 

 consequence is in great request for vases and table 

 decorations. The beautiful Shirley Poppy, though 

 to all appearances as delicate as a zephyr, will, if 

 carefully handled, last fairly well in water. The 

 family is represented in nearly every quarter of the 

 globe, from the arctic regions, the home of the 

 Iceland Poppy, almost to the tropics. Like many 

 other plants grown from seed, they are liable to 

 " sport," that is, they cannot always be relied upon 

 to come quite true to colour, and especially is this 

 so with most of the " improved " forms, a fact that 



