THE CARE OF PALMS 



Palm begin to turn yellow or die at the tips, 

 and you know drainage to be good, you will 

 be warranted in suspecting the cause of trouble 

 to be worms. If you turn the plant out of its 

 pot, you will most likely find tiny white ones 

 clinging to the younger roots in large numbers. 

 The fish or angle- worm is not as harmful as the 

 small white one. Be prompt in the application 

 of your remedy, and do not be satisfied until 

 you have routed the enemy. 



If concentrated fertilizers, like bonemeal, are 

 used, it will not be necessary to repot Palms 

 yearly. Keep the soil rich by feeding it lib- 

 erally, and thus avoid that disturbance of the 

 roots which always acts as a temporary check 

 upon the development of the plant. Develop- 

 ment should go steadily ahead and never be 

 interrupted if possible to avoid it. 



I have spoken of the application of oil to the 

 foliage. Many persons advise it because it 

 gives a glossiness to the leaf which is quite 

 pleasing at first. But in a short time, if its use 

 is continued, the leaf will take on a sickly color, 

 and soon you will have to remove it. Oil closes 

 the pores of the leaf and prevents it from 

 breathing, and it also retains dust, which can- 

 not be removed by an ordinary showering be- 



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