146 

 THE CULTIVATION OF PALMS. 



BY GEOEGE GOEDON. 



IN TWO PABTS. 



Paet I. — Geneeal Cultural Dieections. 



|T must be a matter of much congratulation amongst all 

 who love heartily that which is beautiful and good in 

 the vegetable kingdom, that the idea is at last dispelled 

 which prevailed for such a long time in connection with 

 the whole race of these grand and majestic plants, that 

 they required stove temperature and peculiar treatment to grow 

 them properly. Nothing but the prevalence of this fallacious notion 

 could have kept them from becoming as common in our gardens as 

 — what shall I say ? — not scarlet geraniums, for that would be 

 (even for these) rather too plentiful, and I admit the possibility of 

 having too much of a good thing ; perhaps, for the sake of not 

 going wrong, I had better say we should have been able to count 

 the plants by dozens where there is at present not a single plant. 

 It has not been their difficult culture that has kept them back, for 

 they are all easy enough to grow. I have, in my time, handled a 

 vast multitude of plants of different kinds, but I never found any 

 to excel the palms in this respect, and I know of none which has so 

 thoroughly rewarded me for my time and trouble spent over them. 

 I am wrong in naming what has been to me a most delightful 

 employment "trouble" — pleasure or enjoyment would be more 

 correct, or, at all events, better represent my feelings upon the 

 subject. A more charming occupation cannot be devised than in 

 tending to their various wants and requirements, which are, by the 

 way, but few and simple ; and this remark is more especially ap- 

 plicable when the youog plants are raised from seed, which is the 

 system I should recommend amateurs to pursue, in certain instances 

 where they can procure seed, and have patience to wait. All our 

 readers must have observed that the interest engendered in the plant 

 raised in this way is double that felt for such as come into one's posses- 

 sion when they are portly or fully-grown specimens. In a certain sense 

 I am wrong in recommending this plan, for it is better, where the 

 convenience of a hotbed is not at hand for raising the seeds, to obtain 

 small plants, and save a couple of years' watching and waiting. I 

 am unable to understand why our nurserymen in this country do 

 not go into the palm business much more extensively than they do 

 at present, for there can be no doubt but what they would have 

 ready sale for them, if offered at reasonable prices, such, for instance, 

 as that at which they are sold by the leading nurserymen on the 

 Continent. Several of the kinds can be procured in Prance and 

 Belgium for two or three francs each, which is no more than the 

 sum paid for any common greenhouse plant ; but, of course, like 

 everything else, some sorts are more valuable than others. But I 

 am wasting space with these desultory remarks. I had better com- 

 mence with that part of the question which will make us independent 

 of the nurserymen for young plants, namely — 



