THE NVRSERY-LIST 377 



Paeonia (Peony. Piney). Ranunculacece. 



Seeds, giving rise to new varieties, are sown as soon as ripe. About 

 three years after germination are required for the production of 

 bloom. The seedlings seldom rise above the surface the first year, 

 all their energies being spent in the formation of roots. 



The common herbaceous varieties are oftenest propagated by 

 division of the clumps. Each portion should possess at least one 

 bud. Usually the clumps are divided in early autumn. 



All woody species may be increased by layers and cuttings. 

 Cuttings are taken late in summer, cut to a heel, and are handled 

 in a frame or cool greenhouse. In winter they should be kept 

 from freezing. The shrubby species are often grafted, and all species 

 can be handled in this way. The operation is performed in late 

 summer or early autumn, and the grafts are stored in sand or moss 

 where they will not freeze. The next spring they are planted out. 

 The cion is made from a strong short shoot, destitute of flower 

 buds, and is set on a piece of root, as described on pages 157-8. 

 Some prefer to cut a wedge-shaped portion from the side of the 

 stock, in which to inlay the cion, rather than to split the stock ; but 

 either practice is good. Strong roots of various varieties or species 

 may be used. The Chinese peony (P. suffruticosa) , P. officinalis 

 and P. albiflora are oftenest used. 



Rare varieties of the herbaceous species are sometimes grafted in 

 late summer, an eye of the given kind being inserted in a tuber 

 from which all the eyes have been removed. 



Paliurus (Christ's Thorn). Rhamnacece. 



Increased by seeds, stratified or sown in autumn, by layers and 

 by cuttings of the roots. 



Palms. Palmaceae. 



Palms are propagated in the main by seeds ; a few by suckers 

 and division. The seeds of the common kinds germinate freely 

 if sown in pans of soil and placed in a bottom heat of 80. Those 

 that grow in swamps require somewhat different treatment ; for 

 these use an open rough soil and stand the pots or pans in saucers 

 filled with w r ater ; when they germinate, a regular temperature 

 both at the roots and overhead is of importance and the soil must be 

 kept uniformly moist at all times. In removing palm seedlings 

 from the seed-pans or pots, the roots should be carefully handled, 

 for if broken the seedlings usually die. Palms are known in conserva- 

 tories and private collections mostly in the juvenile stage. The 



