TREES AND SHRUBS. 
411 
decayed refuse with it, then plant young- shrubs 2ft. high and 
2ft. apart. The shoots should be annually trimmed in with a 
knife in April, and not with shears. 
As regards the flowering Cherries, Plums, etc., these should 
be planted in autumn in good ordinary soil. Any pruning 
which may be required should be done directly after the plants 
have flowered, merely shortening straggly growths. The too 
free use of the knife on these shrubs induces gumming and 
dying back of the branches. In the case of grafted trees 
suckers are apt to throw up freely from the stock ; these must 
be promptly removed, otherwise they will take all the strength 
from the tree and eventually kill it. A reference was made 
to the use of the Myrobalan Plum as a hedge shrub. The 
plants should be put in 6in. apart in trenched soil in autumn, 
the shoots being cut well back the first winter. In succes- 
sive years trim the hedge in June or July. 
Propagation is effected by means of cuttings in the case 
of all the species. The deciduous cuttings should be made 
of ripened shoots 6in. or so long, and be inserted half their 
depth in sandy soil outdoors in October. Laurels may be 
increased in the same way, but they will root more readily in 
a cold frame. All the kinds, including the Laurels, may also 
be increased by layering in autumn ; and the deciduous species 
by budding on suckers or seedlings of the Plum or Cherry in 
August. 
Punica. (Pomegranate). — P. granatum is a pretty Persian 
deciduous flowering shrub, belonging to the Loosestrife order 
(Lythracese). There is a single and a double-flowered red 
variety, and both are suitable for growing against walls in mild 
districts. Plant in good loam in autumn, and directly after 
flowering thin out the shoots that have flowered only. In- 
creased by cuttings of half-ripened shoots in gentle heat ; also 
by suckers and layering. 
Pyrus (Mountain Ash, Crab, Medlar, Quince, etc.). — An 
extensive genus of hardy deciduous flowering or berry-bearing 
trees belonging to the Rose order (Rosaceae). P. Aucuparia 
is the Rowan or Mountain Ash, a native tree which bears 
creamy-white flowers in spring, succeeded by scarlet berries in 
autumn. There is a yellow-fruited form called fructo-lutea. 
P. baccata (Siberian Cherry Crab) grows 15ft. high, has white 
flowers succeeded by red fruits the size of a cherry. A very 
ornamental tree. P. coronaria (Sweet-scented Crab) is a beau- 
tiful species, growing 20ft. high, and bearing rosy fragrant 
flowers in May. Flore pleno is a double form of it. P. flori- 
bunda (Japanese Crab) grows 10 to 20ft. high, and bears rosy- 
red flowers in profusion in May. Atrosanguinea, deep red ; 
