Ill 



162. — LATANIA BORBONICA, Lamrh. — Livistona chinemis, Mart. 



This is a plant well known to cultivators of tropical plants 

 throughout the world, and is said to have been introduced into Eng- 

 land from South China in 1318. It is known principally in the 

 markets for decorative plants as Latania borbonica, and from its 

 hardy character, its elegance, and the ease with which it can be 

 brought to perfection as a decorative plant, it probably ranks as the 

 first of all palms for this purpose. It is especially useful as a decora- 

 tive plant for the dinner table or saloon, when grown in small pots in 

 plenty of light. 



The palm when mature produces seed freely by the bushel, and 

 the best table plants are seedlings of two to three years old. The 

 plant requires but very little shade even when grown in pots, and 

 when planted in the open, none whatever. In the open ground the 

 tree begins to form stem at about six years of age, at Avhich time a 

 head composed of forty or more well developed leaves is qviite 

 common, and mature specimens reach to the height of 50 or 60 feet, 

 as can be seen at any time by visitors to the Koyal Botanic Gardens, 

 where several large and Avell developed specimens are growing, 

 planted many years ago by the officer who then had charge of 

 the Botanical Department. 



Livistona chinensis is a very suitable plant for forming avenues, 

 and during the younger periods of its growth is very handsome. 

 Even when it reaches maturity, its straight columnar stems termi- 

 nated by a fine panoply of leaves, makes it very conspicuous and 

 interesting. 



The plant is one which thrives admirably in Trinidad, and lai'ge 

 numbers are grown commercially for export to the United States, by 

 persons skilled in its cultivation who have been located in the Colony 

 specially for this purpose. 



The leaves of the plant are useful for making ladies' fans, and it 

 could possibly be grown in large numbers to great advantage for this 

 purpose, and the manufactiire of the fans would open out employment 

 for numerous persons of a class for Avliom there is at present no 

 suitable employment. 



163.— LIGNUM YYT^.—Guaiacum Officinale, L. 



In Trinidad this tree blossoms in May, and is a highly orna- 

 mental as well as a useful one. It thrives best in well drained 

 districts, and stands drought better than many trees. Saint Domingo 



