Parsley.--In order to grow Parsley to perfection it is necessary that
the ground be well drained, as the roots and stems must be kept dry,
and the soil should be rich and light. Three sowings may be made
during the year: the first in spring for late summer and autumn use,
the next in June for succession, and another in August or September
for spring and early summer use. Thin out or transplant, to 6 in.
apart. Parsley takes longer than most seeds to germinate; it must
therefore be watched during dry weather and watered if necessary.
Plants potted in September and placed in a cold frame, or protected
in the open from rain and frost with a covering of mats supported by
arches, will be valuable for winter use.
Parsnips.--These succeed best in a rich soil, but the application of
fresh manure should be avoided, as it induces forked and ill-shaped
roots. Let the ground be trenched two spits deep and left ridged up as
long as possible. As early in March as the weather will permit level
the surface and sow the seed in drills 15 in. apart, covering it with
half an inch of fine soil. When the plants are 2 or 3 in. high, thin
them out to 9 in. apart. They may be taken up in November and, after
cutting off the tops, stored in a pit or cellar in damp sand, or they
may be left in the ground till required for use.
Passion Flower.--Cuttings of the young shoots strike readily in sand
under glass. The plant likes a good loamy soil mixed with peat. A
sheltered position with a south or south-western aspect should be
assigned those grown out of doors, and the root should be well
protected in winter. The flowers are borne on seasoned growth of the
current year: this fact must be considered when pruning the plants.
During the hot months the roots require a copious supply of water, and
the foliage should be syringed freely. Passiflora Cærulea is fine for
outdoor culture, and Countess Guiglini makes a capital greenhouse
plant.
Pavia Macrostachya.--This is a deciduous hardy shrub or tree which
bears elegant racemes of white Chestnut-like flowers in July. Any
soil suits it. It is propagated by layers or by grafting it on to the
Horse-chestnut. Height, 10 ft.
Peaches.--These are best grown on a strong loam mixed with old mortar;
though any soil that is well drained will produce good fruit. When
possible, a south wall should be chosen; but they are not particular
as to position, providing they are afforded shelter from cold winds.
November and February are the most favourable months for planting. The
roots should be carefully arranged at equal distances apart, 3 or 4
in. below the surface of soil, and then covered with fine mould. Avoid
giving manure at all times, except when the trees are bearing fruit
heavily. Train the shoots about 6 in. apart, removing all the
wood-buds except one at the base of the shoot and one at the point.
Keep the flowers dry and free from frost by means of an overhead
shelter, to which tiffany or canvas can be attached, which should,
however, only be used so long as the cold weather lasts. To ensure
good fruit, thin the same out to 6 in. apart as soon as it attains
the size of a small pea, and when the stoning period is passed remove
every alternate one, so that they will be 1 ft. apart. After gathering
the fruit, remove any exhausted and weak wood, leaving all that is
of the thickness of a black-lead pencil. To keep the foliage clean,
syringe once a day with water; this may be continued until the
fruit is nearly ripe. The following may be recommended for outdoor
cultivation:--Hale's Early, Dagmar, and Waterloo for fruiting in July
or August; Crimson Galande, Dymond, and the well-known Bellegarde
for succession in September; and Golden Eagle for a late sort. When
planted in quantities, Peaches should stand 20 ft. apart.
When grown under glass a day temperature of 50 degrees, falling to 45
degrees at night, is sufficient to start with, gradually increasing it
so that 65 degrees by day and 55 by night is reached at the period of
blossoming. Syringe the leaves daily until the flowers are produced,
then discontinue it, merely keeping the walls near the pipes and
the paths damp. As soon as the fruit is set the syringing should
recommence. Water of the same temperature as that of the house should
in all cases be used. When the fruit begins to ripen, cease once more
the syringing until it is gathered, then admit air freely, wash the
trees daily, and apply liquid manure to the roots in sufficient
quantities to keep the soil moist during the time the trees are at
rest. Rivers's Early, Pitmaston Orange, Dagmar, and Royal George are
all good under glass.
Pears.--Wherever Apples are a success Pears will grow. As a rule, they
are best grown dwarf. On light soils they should be grafted on to Pear
stocks, but on heavy soils they are best worked on the Quince. The
fruiting of young trees may be accelerated by lifting them when about
five years old, spreading out the roots 1 ft. below the surface of the
soil, and mulching the ground. The mulching should be raked off in the
spring, the ground lightly stirred with a fork and left to sweeten,
and another mulching applied when the weather becomes hot and dry.
In pruning, leave the leading branches untouched, but let all cross
shoots be removed, and the young wood be cut away in sufficient
quantity to produce a well-balanced tree, and so equalise the flow
of sap. Some of the pruning may be done in summer, but directly the
leaves fall is the time to perform the main work. A good syringing
once a week with the garden hose will keep the trees vigorous and free
from insects. Should scab make its appearance on the leaves, spray
them occasionally with Bordeaux Mixture, using the minimum strength at
first, and a stronger application afterwards if necessary. There
are over 500 varieties of Pears, so it is no easy matter to give a
selection to suit all tastes, but a few may be named as most likely to
give satisfaction. Louise Bonne de Jersey succeeds in almost any soil
and in any situation, is a great favourite, and ripens its fruit in
October. Beurré Giffard makes a fine standard, and ripens in July.
Beurré Hardy is delicious in October and November. Doyenné du Comice
is one of the best-flavoured, and is very prolific. Beurré d'Amanlis
ripens in August. Williams's Bon Chrêtien, Aston Town, Pitmaston
Duchess, Clapp's Favourite, Comte de Lamy, and Josephine de Malines
are all reliable for dessert, while for stewing purposes Catillac,
Black Pear of Worcester, Verulam, and Vicar of Winkfield are among the
best. In orchards standards should be from 20 to 25 ft. apart; dwarfs
12 ft. to 1 rod.
Peas.--For the production of heavy summer and autumn crops a rich and
deeply-stirred soil is essential, one of the best fertilisers being
well-decayed farmyard manure; but for the earliest crop a poorer soil,
if deep and well pulverised, will give the best results. Peas under
3 ft. in height do not require sticking, but they can be more easily
gathered if a few small twigs are used to keep the haulm off the
ground. If sown in successive lines the space between the rows should
correspond with the height of the variety grown. A good plan is to
arrange the rows 10 or 15 ft. apart, and crop the intervening spaces
with early dwarf vegetables. The earliest varieties may be sown from
November to February, on the warmest and most sheltered border: these
may be gathered in May and June. The second early round, varieties, if
sown from January to April, will be ready for gathering in June and
July. The main crop round varieties may be sown from February to May:
these will be ready to gather in July and August. The early wrinkled
varieties may be sown from March to June, for gathering between June
and September. Sow main crop and late varieties at intervals of
fourteen days from March to May: these will be ready to gather in
July, August, and September. When the plants are a couple of inches
high draw the earth neatly round them, and stake the taller varieties
as soon as the tendrils appear. Keep them well watered in dry weather,
and if on a light soil a mulching of manure will be beneficial. As
soon as the pods are setting apply weak liquid manure to the roots
when the ground is moist.
Peas, Everlasting (_Lathyrus Latifolia_).--These well-known and
favourite hardy perennials are very useful for covering trellises,
etc. They will grow in any garden soil, and may be raised from seed
sown early in spring in slight heat. Where there is no greenhouse or
frame the seed may be planted, about 1/2 in. deep, round the edges of
pots filled with nice, light soil, and covered with a sheet of glass,
keeping the soil moist till the seed germinates. When the plants are
strong enough they may be placed in their permanent quarters. They
bloom from June to September. Old roots may be divided. Height, 6 ft.
Peas, Sweet.--These most beautiful and profuse blooming hardy annuals
will grow almost anywhere, but they prefer a dry soil that is
both rich and light. The seed should be sown as early in March as
practicable, and in April and May for succession. When the plants are
2 or 3 in. high a few twigs may be placed among them, to which they
will cling. The flowers are produced in July, and the more liberally
they are gathered the longer the plants will continue to bloom.
Height, 3 ft.
Pelargonium.--The shrubby kinds will grow well in any rich soil; loam
and decayed leaves form a good compost for them. They require good
drainage and plenty of air and light while in a vigorous state.
Cuttings root readily in either soil or sand, especially if placed
under glass. Most of the hard-wooded varieties are more easily
increased by cuttings from the roots. The tuberous-rooted ones should
be kept quite dry while dormant, and may be increased by small
off-sets from the roots.
Pentstemon.--This charming hardy perennial is deserving of a place in
every garden. It may be grown in any good soil, but a mixture of loam
and peat is most suitable. The seed may be sown in April, and the
plants transferred when strong enough to their flowering quarters; or
it may be sown in a sheltered position during August or September to
stand the winter. It may also be increased by dividing the roots in
spring, as soon as growth begins. Cuttings of the young side-shoots
about 6 in. long may be taken at any period--the middle of September
is a good time; these should be placed under a hand-glass in sandy
loam and leaf-mould. These cuttings will flower the first year. It
blooms from May to October. Height, 2 ft.
Peppermint.--This may be grown on any damp or marshy soil, and
increased by dividing the roots.
Perennials.--These are plants that die down during the winter, but
spring up and produce new stems annually. Some, as for instance
Antirrhinums and Pansies, flower the first season, but usually they do
not bloom till the second season. Many of the species improve by age,
forming large clumps or bushes. The stock is increased by division
of the roots, which, if judiciously done, improves the plant. Like
annuals, they are divided into classes of Hardy, Half-hardy, and
Tender plants.
Hardy perennials do not require artificial heat to germinate the
seeds, or at any period of their growth, but are the most easily
cultivated of all plants. Seed may be sown from March to midsummer,
transplanting in the autumn to their flowering quarters; or it may
be sown in August and September in a sheltered position to stand the
winter.
Half-hardy plants require artificial heat to germinate their seed, and
must be gradually introduced into the open. They may be sown during
March and April in frames or a greenhouse, when many will bloom the
first season. If sown between May and the end of August they will
flower the following spring and summer. They require protection during
winter, such as is afforded by a cold pit, frame, or greenhouse, or
the covering of a mat or litter. Tender perennials may be sown as
directed above, but the plants should be kept constantly under glass.
Some perennials, such as Pinks, Carnations, Saxifrages, etc., do
not die down, but retain their leaves. These are called evergreen
perennials.
Pergularia.--Very fragrant twining plants, suitable for trellis-work,
arbours, etc. A rich soil suits them best. They are easily increased
by cuttings sown in sand under glass. They flower at midsummer.
Height, 8 ft. to 12 ft.
Perilla Nankinensis.--A plant of little merit, except for its foliage,
which is of a rich bronze purple. It bears a cream-coloured flower in
July. It may be raised in the same manner as other half-hardy annuals,
and prefers a light, loamy soil. Height, 1 1/2 ft.
Periploca Graeca.--A hardy, deciduous, twining shrub, which will grow
in any soil, and may be increased by layers or by cuttings placed
under glass. It flowers in July. Height, 10 ft.