244 LUTHER BURBANK 



throw out new roots, giving added firmness, and 

 making provision for the rapid absorption of 

 moisture and nourishment after transplantation. 



A box being constructed around the soil, the 

 palm may be removed to any distance. 



Sometimes a single palm thus transported is 

 of such size as to require an entire flat car. But 

 unless the precaution is taken to cut back the 

 roots and allow them to stand for some time 

 before removal, as just suggested, there is dan- 

 ger that the palm will die after transplantation, 

 because the loss of its long roots makes quick 

 adaptation to the new conditions impossible. 



The Phoenix canariensis is a thoroughly hardy 

 palm in this climate, and the handsomest of the 

 hardy members of the tribe. 



It is therefore the one most used for planting 

 for ornament in California, though the Chamce- 

 rops excelsa from Japan is as hardy and next 

 most common. The Canary palm grows with 

 great rapidity after the plant has the first five 

 or six leaves, although like all other palms its 

 early growth is slow. An ordinary specimen of 

 this species, transplanted into good soil in this 

 region when it has four or five leaves, will grow 

 to a height of fifteen feet, with a corresponding 

 spread of branches, and develop a trunk eighteen 

 inches in diameter in six to ten years. 



