108 GARDENING INDOORS AND UNDER GLASS 
unlike that palm, leaf stalks growing all the way to 
the bottom, the lower ones gracefully recurved and 
the upper ones spreading airily. It is very easily 
cared for, and on the whole wins on a larger num- 
ber of counts than any other house palm. 
Phoenix Rupicola has gracefully arching, droop- 
ing foliage and is very handsome, the dark green 
leaves being even more feather-like than those of 
Cocus Weddelliana. It is also one of the hardiest. 
Areca Verschaffeltti is unique in having a creamy 
colored mid-rib. It must be given the best of care, 
but will well repay any extra pains taken with it. 
The Kentias, K. Belmoreana, the Thatch-leaf 
palm, and K. Forsteriana, the Curly palm, are the 
hardiest of all the house palms and sure to give satis- 
faction. The former is of dwarf, sturdy habit, 
with broadly divided, dark green leaves borne up 
well on stiff stems. K. Forsteriana is of stronger 
growth, spreads more, and the divisions of the leaf 
are broader. 
Cocos Weddelliana is the most artistically grace- 
ful of the house palms. The finely cut, feathery 
leaves spring well up from the pot and from the 
slender erect stem. It is a small palm, and grows 
slowly. I think I should give it a place among the 
three choicest palms for the house, although, un- 
fortunately, it is not as hardy as some of the others. 
It is the best palm to use as a center for fern dishes. 
Seaforthia elegans, the Australian Feather palm, 
