ICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
ax is formed on all parts of stem and leaves; in Coper- 
cerifera, it is found only on the leaves. An Eastern 
Palm (Calamus draco) yields a resinous, red substance, 
known as “Dragon’s Blood,” of an astringent nature, 
exuded from stems and fruits. Reference has already 
been made to the preparation of coir from the cocoa-nut, 
and to the uses of Coquilla-nut kernels, and of the peri- 
sperm of the Ivory-Palm, for carved ornaments, Ko. As 
: gons ing food to human beings, Palms are not less valuable. 
: softer tissues of the interior of the stems of many 
trees contain large quantities of starchy stuffs, which, 
when prepared, form the well-known Sago. The greater 
part of that brought to Europe is obtained from Metro- 
on love and M. Rumphii. The seedling plants of 
Palmyra Palm (Borassus flabelliformis), and the tender 
e terminal bud of many Palms, are cooked 
ə juice ferments, and forms a drink 
the name of Palm-wine or Toddy. 
several species of Palme afford valuable 
Pre-eminent among these are the Date, 
preserved, since it forms the chief food 
of multitudes of persons in Northern Africa. The peri- 
sperm of the Cocoa-nut forms a great part of the food 
of various other tropical races. Of less importance as 
food are the fruits of the Peach Palm, and of certain 
other Palms of America; but even these form a valuable 
resource, at times, to the native races. From the fruits 
and seeds of many Palms a large amount of oil can be 
expressed. The oil obtained from the Oil Palm, as 
already mentioned, is a valuable article of commerce, and 
that from several other species is also suitable for use, 
though not so abundantly produced. From the fruits 
certain kinds (Elaéis melanococca, Euterpe edulis, 
E. oleracea, (Enocarpus Bacaba, Œ. Bataua, Œ. distichus, 
Ko.), the natives of South America are accustomed to 
pem a pleasantly-flavoured drink by crushing the 
s in water. Though this, also, is called Palm-wine, 
t contains no alcohol, if drunk, as it always is, when 
freshly made; but alcohol can be obtained from similar 
many Palm fruits, when they are allowed 
to indicate the many uses of Palms is 
in a brief ogg conclusion, it may be 
yra Palm (Borassus lliformis) ; 
it 801 nses for this single species are mentioned, 
to this number, others might easily beʻadded. 
f who desire information on this noble order of 
plants will find Seemann’s “ Popular History of Palms” 
serviceable as an introductory work. Martius’ large and 
expensive “ Historie Palmarum ” is still the only com- 
prehensive work on the group; but very great additions 
to our knowledge have been made since it was published. 
Bentham and Hooker's “ Genera Plantarum” is the best 
and most recent source of information upon the genera. 
The Palms of Asia have been written upon by Blume, 
Griffith, Scheffer, Beccari, and others; those of Australia 
by Müller, Wendland, and Drude; the few species from 
Africa by Wendland and Mann; and the American Palms 
by Pöppig, Humboldt and Bonpland, Martius, Wendland, 
Grisebach, Wallace, Spruce, Trail, Im Thurm, and others. 
The most important work of late years on American 
Palms is one by Drude, in “Flora Brasiliensis,’ on the 
Palms of Brazil. 
Remarks on Decorative Uses, Culture, $c. The majority 
of Palms are by no means difficult to cultivate; yet 
re are a few points relating to their management 
h require strict attention. All of them need good 
„and an abundant supply of water in summer; 
ter, too, their roots must never approach dryness. 
Palme continued. 
By far the larger proportion are stove plants, and, as 
such, they need a considerable amount of heat, as well 
as moisture. One species (Trachycarpus Fortunei) is, 
however, hardy enough to live outside in many favour- 
able localities all the year round ; sral are available 
for sub-tropical gardening in summer, and succeed in a 
warm greenhouse temperature in winter. Many others 
of a tenderer description may be utilised for conserva- 
tory embellishment in summer, if transferred to warmer 
quarters again in autumn. For exhibition, nothing is of 
nobler aspect than large specimen Palms; these may be 
most successfully cultivated in pots, or tubs, small in 
proportion to the size of plant. As decorative subjects 
for dinner tables, some of the elegant-habited Palms in 
a small state are indispensable, particularly the well- 
known and beautiful Cocos Weddeliana, than which 
nothing better for the purpose exists. Some of the 
stiffer-growing species withstand confinement in rooms 
and indifferent treatment remarkably well, even for a 
long period. Palms represent, therefore, an invaluable 
class of plants in gardens generally, and a selection of 
the most useful species is indispensable wherever plant- 
grouping for effect, and other phases of horticultural 
decorating, have frequently to be executed. 
Propagation. A few Palms may be propagated from 
suckers where there are established plants from which 
such may be procured; but the general method of in- 
crease is from imported seeds, Some of these germinate 
in a much shorter time than others, and also grow on 
faster afterwards. Seeds should be sown thickly in 
clean, well-drained pans, and covered with about their 
own depth of soil; this latter should be rendered rather 
fine, and should consist of about two parts yellow loam 
and one sharp silver sand. It may be observed that 
the seedlings must remain, in many instances, a long 
time in the seed-pans; the kind of soil, and the amount 
of drainage are, therefore, important considerations. 
The pans should be plunged in, or placed immediately 
above, a brisk bottom heat, and kept watered, though 
not sufficient to cause sourness. Seeds may be sown at 
almost any season—early spring being that preferred. 
Many of the slender-growing and more delicate species 
may have a small portion of peat added to the loam 
and silver sand, as this sometimes tends to encourage 
root action quicker and better than when a heavier 
soil is used, 
_After-treatment. Palms always succeed better, pro- 
vided proper attention is given to watering, when they are 
somewhat restricted at the root, than when over-potted; 
and this rule is applicable from the very first. When 
two or three leaves are formed on the seedling plants, 
they should be placed in the smallest-sized pots that will 
contain their roots without injury, and be arranged close 
together in a house where a high temperature and moist 
atmosphere are maintained. It is important at the first, 
and also at every subsequent potting, that no part of 
the stem be buried; the plant’s base should merely rest 
on the surface of the soil, which should be rendered 
firm throughout by a hand rammer. Roots of Palms 
should never be out, if it can possibly be avoided ; indeed, 
with some genera, this practice would be likely to prove 
most disastrous. Repotting should be conducted according 
to the rate at which the plants progress: some grow much 
faster than others. The quantity of roots may be taken 
as a guide; if these are not more or less crowded, the 
operation of re-potting may be deferred, as a rule, until 
they are. Established plants, of any size, should be over- 
hauled in early spring, and any necessary shifting done. If 
roots are found to have become matted near the base, 
old crocks should, if possible, be removed, and soil after- 
wards substituted. The ball should then be placed intact 
in another pot, where there is a space of about 2in. all 
round; this will often suffice for the next two years, at 
