162 GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT. 



the points noted above, the care required is not unlike 

 that needed by that well-known plant. 



CHAPTER XL 



PALMS, PANDANUS AND ARAUCARTAS. 



Few families of plants contain more cultivate*: 

 species than does the one to which the common name oi 

 palm has been given. Although they have for lon^ 

 years been grown quite generally in greenhouses, thej 

 are coming more and more into favor for purposes o1 

 decoration. The well-known Fan palm (commonly 

 known as Latania), and the Corypha, with its broac 

 leaves, were formerly used for this purpose, but the] 

 were often badly torn, even with the most careful han- 

 dling, and they did not grow in favor ; although desira 

 ble in the conservatory, other kinds are now regarded ai 

 more useful. The present favorites are some of the pin- 

 nate leaved Arecas and Kentias, and they seem admir- 

 ably adapted for it, as they are not injured by rougl 

 usage, and as they succeed better than most palms in i 

 dry atmosphere, they are much used as house plants. 



Nearly all palms grow readily from seed, anc 

 although thousands are imported annually, hundreds o\ 

 thousands are each year grown in this country from 

 imported seed. The seed should be obtained as fresh a* 

 possible and planted immediately, in sandy loam soil, 

 in a good bottom heat. Although they can be sown ox: 

 the beds, it is best to use pans, pots, or boxes, in ordei 

 to be sure of proper drainage. While 70 degrees can be 

 taken as an average temperature for germination, some 

 stove plants need more, and a few greenhouse forms will 

 start as well at a lower temperature. If the seeds are 



