418 FRITZ BAHR'S COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE 



Fig. 196. LATANIA BORBONICA. This is, perhaps, not as popular as in years gone 

 by, but it is still a desirable palm, growing into a salable plant more quickly than 



most varieties 



For indoors sow seed in December, and later plant the seedlings 

 in a bench or a solid bed, allowing about four inches between 

 them in rows eighteen inches apart. A later sowing can be made by 

 the end of January. These will be at their best around Easter and 

 I doubt whether you could have a more desirable crop in bloom 

 at that time. In fact, every florist retailing his stock will find these 

 Larkspurs desirable whenever he has any to cut, no matter what 

 the time of the year. 



LATANIA BORBONICA (FAN PALM) 



As house plants the Latanias are not to be compared with 

 Kentias, Arecas or Phcenix Roebelenii, for they lack the gracefulness 

 that the others possess even as small plants. Yet as decorative 

 plants able to stand rough usage, they are of value. The florist 

 who uses palms for decorating can easily purchase 4- or 5-in. pot 

 plants of Latania and let them develop into larger specimens. Of 

 late years the smaller sized Latanias have been used freely in the 

 filling of window and porch boxes in connection with ferns, Ficus 

 and English Ivies; here they can stand as much as the other plants, 

 whereas the use of other palms would prove too expensive. 



LATHYRUS LATIFOLIUS (HARDY SWEET PEAS) 



While not of great value to the florist, these Sweet Peas seem 

 to be gaining in favor every year. We have call for them to be 



