98 ORNAMENTAL GARDENING 
I am happy to say that this financial speculation resulted in 
total failure. 
It is quite probable that the royal palm will be found in other 
Floridian localities. It is believed by Mr. O. F. Cook, an author- 
ity on palms of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, that this 
is distinct from the Cuban species, and he has given it the specific 
name floridana. Iam inclined to believe his judgment is correct 
in the matter. Our palm generally grows in brackish swamps, 
the only exception I know of being Paradise Key. 
Whether growing in groups or singly it more fully conveys 
to my mind the idea of kingly majesty than any living object 
I have ever seen. Michaux truly said that the American White 
Elm was the noblest vegetable of the Temperate Zone and with 
equal propriety it may be claimed that the royal palm is the 
noblest vegetable of the tropics. It should be planted in rich, 
deep soil, if possible in a moist location, if it is to do its best, 
and in such a situation in fifteen or twenty years it will become 
an object worthy to be worshipped. Ordinarily it does poorly 
on pine land but if a large hole is dug when it is planted and this 
is filled with muck, rich soil and stable manure and the ground 
is well mulched it will do very well. An occasional top dressing 
of muck or mulching with seaweed or trash will be beneficial. 
Next among native palms in importance and striking appear- 
ance is the cabbage palmetto (Inodes palmetto), a tree distributed 
throughout the maritime parts of the state. To northern eyes,— 
yes, to the eyes of all who are really en rapport with whatever is 
attractive in nature,—this strange tree is always wonderful. 
I can never pass it without turning to gaze at it with awe and 
admiration; it is so absolutely unlike anything that the dweller 
of the temperate zone is used to. Singly or in groups it is always 
attractive. 
This tree is at its best in rich hammocks though it frequently 
grows in low pine land or the edges of prairies or brackish swamps. 
It will do well on high pine land if well mulched or treated with 
muck. There are those who can transplant this tree when 
grown to a good size by cutting off the leaves and the roots 
close to the stem, taking care not to injure the bark in any way, 
