MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 77 
GROWTH OF PALMS 
The determination of the age of palms grown under 
greenhouse conditions is a matter of considerable interest, 
but very little data is available for comparative study. Cer- 
tain palms, like Oreodoxa regia, indicate their rate of growth 
by the permanent leaf scars upon the trunk, while others, 
like Livistona, Cocos, Phoenix, ete., have a tendency to lose 
their leaf blades, leaving no scars, thus making age deter- 
mination impossible with any degree of accuracy. 
The following list indicates the study of growth in the 
palm house at the Garden during a period of one year. It 
is interesting to note that almost invariably the greatest 
growth has taken place during the summer months, indi- 
cating: partial dormancy during the winter. 
NUMBER OF LEAVES DEVELOPING 
Name . Jan. Mar. July Sept. Dec. Total 
Acanthorhiza aculeata .......... 1 2 3 4 3 13 
Archontophoenix Cunninghamii ... 1 0 1 2 2 6 
ATENGE: BACCROTTETA 2. ee ies Z 1 1 0 1 f 
Astrocaryum mexicanum ........ 1 L 2 Z 2 8 
Ceroxylon andicolum ........ are k 1 1 1 1 5 
CRaMnedored BN ee ees 1 1 1 1 1 5 
Chamaerons humilis ............ 3 4 8 9 + 28 
Chrysalidocarpus lutescens ...... 1 1 1 1 1 5 
COCKE HOGG or. <5 i Se 1 1 1 1 1 5 
EUGAS QUONEONHS 0. oh oes 1 1 1 2 1 6 
PPUtRCd GVO Fh ee et 2 2 2 2 1 9 
Howea Beimorcana .... 5... tee. 1 1 1 1 2 6 
AACUNIA OTONMIS Fie tae 1 1 1 2 0 5 
butstond GUstralia ot ens ck 1 2 5 6 4 18 
hivistona chimensts 20... 6 i ess 1 1 2 + 2 10 
Martinezia caryotaefolia ........ 1 1 1 2 1 6 
Oreddowd: Vent | 60 se eis 1 1 1 1 1 5 
Phoenin dactylifera v0. ..00....- 3 3 5 9 Hy 25 
EROGNIG: FOCURELG os ae nas 3 3 a 5 4 19 
Vhoenin Roebelentt. 2... 0... = 2 2 3 10 7 24 
Ptychosperma Macarthuri ......- 1 1 1 1 2 6 
Pritchardia Martti 2.06.5 Se. 1 1 3 2 2 9 
Rhapis flabelliformis ..........- 1 3 3 2 2 11 
Sabal giaucescens .......4.57-. =. 1 1 0 1 1 4 
Savel Puunctts 2a a. 1 1 1 2 ] 6 
Thrinag argente@ ....6. 5%, 666-5 1 1 2 ] 2 7 
Trachycarpus excelsa Fortunei... 2 3 4 4 4 17 
Washingtonia filifera ........... 1 3 5 4 2 15 
TOTAL coe Wee faves 37 Ht 64 82 60 =.287 
EFFECT OF THE WAR AT THE GARDEN 
The order of the Fuel Administrator, reducing by 50 per 
cent the amount of coal available for florists has been in- 
terpreted as applying to institutions like the Garden as well 
