IN FLORIDA 127 



warmer parts of the state. Besides the native species which 

 I have discussed elsewhere there are a number of others 

 eminently adapted for growing in clumps, or for borders of large 

 palm groups. I have in perfect condition T. argentea, a fine 

 Cuban species, T. barbadensis, T. morrisi, T. parviflora, T. 

 radiata and T. pumilio. T. altissima is one of the finest 

 palms I have. The large, orbicular leaves are cut into 

 many segments, are rich, shining green above and silvery be- 

 neath and are indescribably beautiful. Unfortunately it was 

 planted in a somewhat exposed position and its splendid foliage 

 is injured by high winds. I know of no more satisfactory group 

 of palms for regions exempt from frost as they are at home in 

 almost any kind of soil. 



Thrincoma alta from Porto Rico is a fine Thrinax-like palm 

 which is growing nicely for me in pine land. 



Trachycarpus. A genus of a few species from Asia, one of 

 which, T. excelsus, should be hardy over the entire state. It has 

 never succeeded with me and Nehrling has had the same expe- 

 rience with it in Gotha, but Mr. C. E. Pleas states that it does 

 finely at Chipley. 



Washingtonia. It is probable that this name which was once 

 applied to the great redwood trees of California should not be 

 used for this group of palms but the longer one Neowashingtonia. 

 W. robusta is grown in this vicinity to a considerable extent for 

 shading streets and roads and for ornament in grounds. It is 

 a strong, rapid grower, with dark, glossy leaves whose petioles 

 are armed with heavy, curved spines and it is altogether a very 

 ornamental and satisfactory tree. W. filifera is a slower grower 

 with somewhat glaucous, and larger leaves. I have under the 

 name of W. sonorae a young palm which is more delicate in all 

 its parts than the other two. Nehrling reports that all the Wash- 

 ing to nias fail at Gotha. 



A surprisingly large number of the palms are succeeding with 

 me and as I make no claim whatever to skill as a cultivator, and 

 as, for want of time, my plants are much neglected, I cannot'but 

 believe that these glorious productions of nature are very much 

 at home in Florida. Uncle Nat Berry remarks in the well- 

 known play Shore Acres that "You can't have too many babies" 



