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. I am 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, 



