2o8 PLANT CULTURE 



Propagation. The stock of P. orientate is best increased by 

 seed. When the capsules show signs of ripening they should be 

 carefully watched, as they open at the top, and a slight movement 

 of the atmosphere will displace the seeds. Sow in boxes soon as 

 ripe, but not too thickly, so as to do away with the necessity of 

 pricking off — an operation which does not succeed as well as could 

 be wished. The seedlings wUl make sufficient headway to pass the 

 Winter without freezing injury in a coldframe. During March 

 bring into a cool house, and when they show signs of growing, pot 

 oS into 2}^- or 3-inch pots, according to size. They should always 

 be planted from pots, as they do not lift well. In the warmer 

 parts of the country the plants of P. nudicaule wiU succeed fairly 

 well if they be raised from seed sown during September, and either 

 planted out late or wintered in a frame and put out very early. 

 In the colder parts plants are freely raised from self-sown seed. 

 It is a species which dislikes extreme heat. 



PENTSTEMON (Beard Tongue). The garden varieties are 

 the offspring of P. gloxinioides and P. Cobcza. In localities where 

 climatic conditions are favorable they are much prized. In this sec- 

 tion they are short-lived, owing to the extreme heat. There are 

 many extremely handsome species. P. (Chelone) barbatus and P. b. 

 Torreyi wiU thrive almost anywhere, as they cover the ground with 

 dense, short growths. The flowers are produced in panicles about 

 3 feet high; they vary in color from light pink to carmine. They 

 should have good, deep garden soil. They thrive best with full ex- 

 posure to the sun. 



Propagation. They are increased by division or by seed. 

 Seed is usually preferred, many of the varieties blooming the first 

 year. 



PHLOX. P. subulata (Moss Pink) is the parent of many 

 beautiful forms extensively used for the edges of borders and for 

 rockwork. In April they are covered with myriads of flowers close 

 to the foliage. Among the white-flowered forms are P. s. Nelsoni, 

 P. s. arislata and P. s. nivalis. P. s. Vivid has rose-colored flowers 

 with carmine center. P. s. frondosa is a pink variety witli dark 

 center. Their propagation is usually effected by cuttings — ^a slow 

 method. If the plants are kept supplied with water during Septem- 

 ber they will emit roots at the bases of the principal growths, and 

 during October these may be cut up and heeled in on a sheltered 

 border, potted, or removed to permanent positions, very early in 

 Spring. Other desirable dwarf species are P. amcma, P. reptans and 



