HARDINESS OF PALMS. 41 



The Trachacarpos, with their garden hybrids, form quite a group in 

 themselves, many of which are very pretty. They are equally hardy as 

 the Chamserops, to which they are closely allied. They have good con- 

 stitutions, and are excellent for decorative purposes, either in the 

 ground or in pots for indoor purposes. 



Of the sabals we grow seventeen varieties. So far as I can form an 

 opinion, they are all very hardy ; neither wet nor cold seems to hurt them. 

 There is only one drawback to their general planting, that is they are 

 very slow in forming a trunk; but when once the trunk is formed, they 

 make a rapid growth, and many of them make noble plants; others are 

 dwarf, and some do not make a trunk at all. But I find them very 

 useful for edgings for tropical groups, and they will succeed fairly 

 well with very little water. 



The Livistonias are a very decorative class of palms, L. Australis 

 being very hardy here. L. Chinensis is equally hardy, but of a much 

 slower growth and very desirable. L. Hoogendorpia is still much slower. 

 but I would put it in every collection where it will grow, as it has a dis- 

 tinct character of its own, and will attract attention. L. Marie, a recent 

 introduction from Australia, comes with a fine character for hardiness, 

 and I can say it is very pretty, but our plants are too small to say more 

 of it. L. Jenkinsiana is hardy and a beautiful variety ; L. Eotondif olia, 

 dwarf, compact, very fine for table decorations; L. Oliviformis, distinct 

 and fine. There are numerous others, some of them very beautiful, but 

 unfortunately they need the greenhouse. Only one of the Livistonias 

 is of quick growth out-of-doors, and those who wish early effects would 

 better leave them out. 



Attalea Cohune. A very striking palm, somewhat resembling the 

 Cocos Plumosa, but not so fast a grower. Our plants are still small, 

 but enough is known to say they can be grown out-of-doors with very 

 promising results. A. Spectabilis reaches a height of 100 feet in its 

 native habitat. A. Speciosa, a very showy palm, height 70 feet; A. 

 Compacta, 28 feet. We do not look for such results as this in Santa 

 Barbara; still, we are confident in time to have some very fine speci- 

 mens. 



Caroxylon Andicola and C. Nieveum are still in the experimental 

 stage. I have about made up my mind that they will succeed out-of- 

 doors, but will be slow. This is the palm that produces the vegetable 

 wax, and is quite rare. 



Astrocareum Argentum is the only one of this family I have tried. 

 It is one of the most ornamental of the silvery palms, and though a lit- 

 tle tender at first, seems to do better as it gets more acclimated. There 

 is one Astrocareum in the city of Santa Barbara about fifteen feet in 

 height, the most striking plant to my mind in the county, but so far 

 I have not been able to find out what variety it is. 



