hree-lobed leaves. It is
one of the first to flower, the blossoms being produced in March and
April, and sometimes even earlier when the plant is grown against a
sunny, sheltered wall. The semi-double flowers are large and of good
substance, and of a rosy-white tint, but deep rose in the bud state.
There is a nursery form of this plant with white flowers, named P.
triloba alba. It is quite hardy, bears pruning well, and grows quickly,
soon covering a large space of a wall or warm, sunny bank. As an
ornamental flowering lawn shrub it has few equals, the blossoms
remaining good for fully a fortnight.

P. VIRGINIANA (_syn Cerasus virginiana_) and P. SEROTINA (North American
Bird Cherries) are worthy species, with long clusters of flowers
resembling those of our native Bird Cherry. They are large-growing
species, and, particularly the latter, are finding favour with
cultivators in this country on account of their bold and ornamental
appearance.

PTELEA.

PTELEA TRIFOLIATA.--Hop Tree, or Swamp Dogwood. North America, 1704. A
small-growing tree, with trifoliolate, yellowish-green leaves placed on
long footstalks, and inconspicuous greenish flowers. The leaves, when
bruised, emit an odour resembling Hops. P. trifoliata variegata is one
of the handsomest of golden-leaved trees, and is well worthy of
extensive planting. It is preferable in leaf colouring to the golden
Elder. Perfectly hardy.

PUNICA.

PUNICA GRANATUM.--Pomegranate. For planting against a southern-facing
wall this pretty shrub is well suited, but it is not sufficiently hardy
for the colder parts of the country. Frequently in the more favoured
parts of the country it reaches a height of 14 feet, with a
branch-spread of nearly as much, and is then, when in full flower, an
object of general admiration and of the greatest beauty. The flowers are
of a rich, bright scarlet colour, and well set off by the glossy, dark
green leaves. P. Granatum rubra flore-pleno is a decidedly ornamental
shrub, in which the flowers are of a bright scarlet, and perfectly
double. They grow satisfactorily in light, but rich soil.

PYRUS.

PYRUS ARIA.--White Beam Tree. Europe (Britain). A shrub or small-growing
tree, with lobed leaves, covered thickly on the under sides with a
close, flocculent down. The flowers are small and white, and produced in
loose corymbs. It is a handsome small tree, especially when the leaves
are ruffled by the wind and the under sides revealed to vi