158 PLANT PROPAGATION 
by seed, the perennials by division, and the tuberous- 
rooted kinds by offsets. 
Pa#onta.——Herbaceous sorts are propagated by divid- 
ing old clumps in March or April. Tree or Moutan 
kinds are increased by grafting flowerless shoots on 
roots of P. albiflora and P. officinalis in August; these, 
after potting, should be plunged in soil in a cold frame, 
heaping up the soil so as just to cover the graft, keeping 
close and shading until a union is effected, then gradually 
admitting ventilation. The herbaceous species come 
true from seed sown when ripe in cold frame. 
Patms.—These grand and elegant plants are nearly 
all raised from imported seed sown soon after arrival. 
Those with very hard shells should be soaked to hasten 
sprouting. A common practice where large quantities 
are raised is to spread them out in single layers in pans, 
and to maintain them in a state of saturation with 
moisture on a hot-bed or over the hot-water pipes, where 
they can be kept constantly warm but not so hot as to 
injure the embryo. As soon as any show signs of 
germinating they are picked out daily, care taken not to 
injure the tender growth, planted separately in small 
pots of loam aid leaf-mould, and afforded bottom heat 
to encourage growth. When only a few are to be 
handled, filing through the shell before sowing will 
hasten germination. Palms of tufted growth, such as 
Rhapis, are also propagated by taking off rooted suckers 
and potting them in spring or summer. 
PANCRATIUM.—Many of the bulbous plants grown in 
gardens under this name are now called by botanists 
Hymenocallis. They all increase by offsets and seed. 
PaNDANUS (SCREW PINE).—There are few, if any, 
handsomer foliage plants than the variegated P. Veitchit, 
