LNCYCULOPAHDIA OF GARDENING. 
Prophet’s-flower (Macrotoma echioides).—See Macrctoma, 
Protea.—ord, Proteace. Greenhouse evergreen flowering shrubs. 
First introduced 1774. 
CULTURE: Compost, two parts light well-decayed turfy loam, one 
part equal proportions silver sand, charcoal, broken pots, freestone, & 
peat. Position, light airy greenhouse fully exposed to sunshine. Pot, 
March. Drain pots one-third of depth with broken potsherds. Pot 
firmly. Water moderately, March to Sept., occasionally afterwards, 
keeping soil just moist. No syringing or stimulants required. Stand 
plants in sunny position outdoors during June, July, & Aug. Temp., 
cept. to March 40° to 50°; March to June 55° to 65°. Propagate 
by cuttings of firm shoots cut off close to a joint, pared quite smooth, 
inserted thinly in small pots half-filled with drainage, & remainder 
with pure sand, placed under bell-glass in cool part of greenhouse in 
summer. 
SPECIES CULTIVATED: P. cordata, purple, spring, 18 in., 8. Africa; grandi- 
flora, white, May, 6 to 8 ft., S. Africa. 
Provence Rose (Rosa gallica provincialis).—See Rosa. 
Prumnopitys.—Ord. Conifere. Hardy and half-hardy ever- 
green trees. Orn. foliage. First introduced 1863. 
CULTURE OF HARDY SPECIES: Soil, good, deep loam, well- 
sume: Position, sunny sheltered lawns. Plant, Oct., Nov., March 
or April. 
CULTURE OF HALF-HARDY SPECIES: Compost, two parts loam, 
one part leaf-mould. Position, pots or tubs in light airy greenhouse. 
Pot or plant, March or April. Water freely, May to Sept., moderately 
afterwards. Temp., Sept. to April 45° to 55°; April to Sept. 55° to 
65°, Propagate by cuttings of firm young shoots inserted in small 
pots of sandy loam under bell-glass in temp. 60° to 70°, summer. 
SPECIES CULTIVATED: P. elegans (Plum Fir), Syn. Podocarpus andina, 40 to 
50 ft., Chili, hardy; spicata (Black Pine), Syn. Podocarpus spicata, 50 to 70 ft., 
New Zealand. 
Prunella (Selfheal).—Ord. Labiate. Hardy herbaceous peren- 
nials, 
CULTURE: Soil, ordinary light rich. Position, moist shady border 
or rockery. Plant, Oct., Nov., March, or April. Lift, divide, & 
replant every 2 or 3 years. Water in dry weather. Mulch with 
decayed manure in March. Apply stimulants during flowering season. 
Propagate by division of roots, Oct., Nov. or March. 
SPECIES CULTIVATED: P. grandiflora, purple, July and Aug., 6 in., Europe; 
and its varieties alba (white) and rubra, or webbiana (red); vulgaris laciniata, 
purple, July, leaves finely cut, 1 ft., Britain. 
Prunus (Plum; Damson; Myrobalan Plum; Double Chinese 
Plum).—Ord. Rosacee. Hardy deciduous and evergreen trees & 
shrubs. Edible fruit-bearing, flowering & orn. foliage. First intro- 
duced: Peach and nectarine, 1562; Almond, 1548; Apricot, 1548; Com- 
mon Laurel, 1629; Portugal Laurel 1648, 
CULTURE OF PEACH AND NECTARINE: Soil, deep, but not 
over-rich sandy loam, well drained, & free from manure. Position, 
south or south-west walls, fully exposed to sun. Plant, Oct. to Feb. 
Distances for planting: Cordons, 18in.; dwarf fan-trained, 15 ft.; 
standard fan-trained, 15 ft. Depth of soil above roots, 4 to 6in. 
Approximate cost of trees, each: Cordons, 1s. 6d.; dwarf fan, 3s. 6d.; 
half & full standard fans, 7s. 6d. Prune, Jan. or Feb. Fruit borne 
on old spurs & shoots of previous years’ growth. Do not shorten tie 
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