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.