192 Commercial Gardening 



Many, however, remain in 2J-in. pots, and in this size thousands of Cocos 

 Weddelliana (fig. 291) are sold annually. To secure a better effect, and 

 a readier sale, some kinds, such as Areca lutescens, are placed two in a 

 5-in. or 6-in. pot, in the same way that many Ferns are, thus securing 

 at once a more bushy and well-furnished appearance. 



Although for actual market work Palms sell best in 2|--in., 3 -in., 

 5-in., and 6-in. pots, there Js also a good trade done in large specimens 

 grown in big pots and large wooden tubs. Plants ranging from 10 ft. 

 to 30 ft. high, and even more, are grown by some of the big rnarketmen 

 like Messrs. Rochford, and these are sold for furnishing purposes to the 

 great florists in London and the provinces. Such plants are often 

 required for big Society weddings, public dinners, and public functions of 

 all kinds, and there is no other class of plants that can give the requisite 

 air of opulence and luxury to such proceedings. While the price of 

 Palms in small pots may be as low as 6s. per dozen, the large decorative 

 specimens will realize anything from 5 to 50 apiece, according to circum- 

 stances. It must be remembered, however, that large plants do not sell 

 rapidly at high prices, and that they require large and costly glass struc- 

 tures to keep them in a healthy condition, to which must be added the 

 cost of fuel, labour, &c. 



Amongst the most saleable Palms the following may be mentioned: 



ARECA. There are several species, but A. (Chrysalidocarpus) lutescens, 

 from Madagascar, is the most popular. It has slender yellowish-green 

 stems and gracefully pinnate leaves. Once established it will thrive in 

 a greenhouse temperature. Two or three plants are often grown together. 

 A. sapida, from New Zealand, and A. Baueri, from Norfolk Island, are 

 elegant Kentia-like species, both of which, however, really belong to a 

 genus called " Rhopalostylis ". 



Cocos. Of the thirty species known, only two are favoured for 

 market, viz. C. Weddelliana and C. plumosa. The first-named is grown 

 in thousands from seeds, and has been a favourite for many years owing 

 to its light and graceful appearance, and to the fact that pretty plants can 

 be raised for sale in about eighteen months. Plants in 3- in. pots sell for 

 6s. to 12s. a dozen, while larger specimens fetch from 2s. 6d. to 10s. 6d. each. 

 Fully grown specimens rarely exceed 6 ft. in height. Cocos plumosa has 

 made its way as a market and a furnishing Palm of late years owing to its 

 graceful feathery appearance. It grows much larger than C. Weddelliana. 



GEONOMA GRACILIS. This small-growing Palm from Costa Rica is 

 grown in fairly large quantities by some, but it is considered too slow 

 in growth and therefore too costly by others. It resembles Cocos Wed- 

 delliana in appearance, but has somewhat larger and broader leaves. It 

 flourishes under the same conditions as the Cocos, and, although it takes 

 longer to grow, realizes only the same price. Geonomas, however, last 

 much longer than Cocos, and will stand rougher usage. 



KENTIA. The two species, Belmoreana and Fosteriana, both from 

 Lord Howe's Island, are more correctly known to botanists under the 



