253^ ARBORKTUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART III. 



powerfLiI inducement to the use of iron rods for supporting standard roses, 

 dahlias, and similar plants, and it is very proper that such rods should be 

 painted to give them durability ; but there is less excuse for employing 

 iron rods, or rods of joiner's work, for tying up small green-house plants, and 

 small plants in the open border ; and none, as we think, for painting either 

 wooden or iron rods of a pea-green. The natural colour of the bark of young 

 trees is, in our opinion, greatly preferable. In the present day, when it is so 

 clearly proved that stakes and rods with the bark on can be rendered at least 

 of 6 or 7 years' duration by the kyanising process, we should always recommend 

 their use in preference to iron. We acknowledge, however, the value of the 

 latter material for espalier rails, some descriptions of trellis--work, sash-bars, &c. 

 C. serridata Willd., Michx, Fl. Bor. Amer., i, p. 206., Pursh Fl. Amer. 

 Sept., i. p. 239., grows on the coast of Georgia and Florida, and differs very 

 little from the dwarf fan palm of Europe. 



C. hi/strix Pursh, 1. c, p. 24-0., has a creeping root, like the former, but differs 

 in having the petioles of the leaves long, with prickles resembling porcupine's 

 quills. Found near the town of Savannali, in Georgia. 



C. Palmetto Willd., Pursh, 1. c, Michx. N. Amer. Syl, iii. 1. t. 101.; C6- 

 rypha Ptilmefto Walt. ; the Cabbage Tree, Amer. This is a tree with a trunk 

 from 40 ft. to 50 ft. high, of a uniform diameter, and crowned with a regular 

 and tufted head, composed of leaves of a brilliant green, palmated, and borne 

 by petioles from I ft. C in. to 2 ft. long, nearly triangular and united at the 

 edges. The leaves vary in length and breadth from 1 ft. to 5 ft., and are so 

 arranged, that the smallest occupy the centre of the summit, and the largest 

 the circumference. Before their developement, they are folded like a fan ; and, 

 as they open, the outside sticks of this fan separate and fall, leaving the base 

 surrounded with filaments woven into a coarse and flimsy russet web. The 

 base of the unclosed bundle of leaves is white, compact, and tender : it is 

 eaten with oil and vinegar, and resembles the artichoke and the cabbage in 

 taste ; whence the American name of the cabbage tree. The flowers are of 

 a greenish hue, and are produced in long clusters : they are succeeded by 

 black horny fruit, about the size of a pea. This tree is found on the sea coast 

 of Carolina and Florida, where the wood is used for forming piles for building 

 wharfs ; for whicli purpose it is preferred, though it is extremely porous, from 

 its power of resisting the attacks of the sea-worms, which, during summer, 

 destroy most other kinds of wood placed in situations accessible to them. 

 When subject to be alternately wet and dry, it decays as rapidly as any other 

 wood. In the war of independence, it was used for building forts, as, when 

 a ball entered the wood, it immediately closed over it. (Michx.) The leaves 

 are manufactured into light and very durable hats. — As there are several 

 trees and shrubs, natives of Carolina, Florida, and Georgia, which endure 

 the open air in England, it is at least worth while to try these three palms, 

 which are, probably, as hardy as the Chamae^rops humilis. 



Bambusa ; the Bamboo. There are two kinds of bamboo in the Horti- 

 cultural Society's Garden, which have endured the open air for 10 or 12 years, 

 without any protection whatever. One of these, B. nigra Lodd. Cat., the 

 black bamboo, was, in 1837, 7 ft. high, with several stems varying in thickness 

 from iin. to 1 in. Though a native of India, it appears nearly as hardy 

 as the European reed. Another species, in the same garden, B. arun- 

 diniicea, has stood out during the same period at the base of a wall with 

 an eastern aspect, but has not grown so freely, probably owing to its being in 

 a drier soil. In Jersey, there are several si>ecies and varieties in Saunders's 

 Nursery, which stand out perfectly well without any protection. 



Arundo Doiiax is a grass with woody stems, a native of the south of 

 Europe ; and on Mount ^tna supplying stakes for supporting the vine. It 

 sometimes grows 15 ft. high in one season, in the climate of London ; and makes 

 SL fine appearance on the rocky margin of a pond. 



