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Gardening for Amateurs 



A favourite Palm (Kentia forsteriana). 



known as Chamaerops Fortunei or C. excelsa 

 now bears another name Trachycarpus ex- 

 celsus ; it is the hardiest Palm that we have 

 in gardens, and large specimens may often 

 be met with in the South of England that 

 have remained outside without protection 

 for many years. 



Cocos. Two nearly allied species, C. 

 flexuosa and C. plumosa, are of tall, upright 

 growth, with long, much-divided fronds. 

 They are in great demand for forming the 

 background of groups and similar purposes, 

 being better suited for this than for use as 

 single specimens. The more refined Cocos 

 weddelliana is a comparatively small Palm, 

 but much valued for the sake of its graceful 

 leaves. This needs a hothouse or warm 

 greenhouse for its successful cultivation. It 

 is essential to use peat in the soil for this 

 dainty little Palm. 



Corypha australis. One of the Fan 

 Palms with spiny leaf stalks and stiff foliage. 

 It is one of the hardiest of greenhouse kinds, 

 and will hold its own in draughty positions. 



Geonoma gracilis. A very handsome 

 Palm, somewhat similar to Cocos weddell- 

 iana. It resembles the Cocos inasmuch as 



it needs a warm greenhouse and is benefited 

 by some peat in the potting compost. 



Kentia. Two species of Kentia namely, 

 K. belmoreana and K. forsteriana, are 

 probably grown in this country in greater 

 numbers than all other Palms together. 

 Kentia belmoreana is dwarfer and has more 

 finely-divided leaves, hence it is more 

 generally grown as a small plant, while the 

 larger and bolder Kentia forsteriana is par- 

 ticularly effective as a large specimen. 



Latania borbonica. When properly 

 developed this Palm has large fan-shaped 

 leaves, and occupies considerable space 

 owing to the length of the leaf stalks. Before 

 the introduction of the Kentias this was the 

 most popular of all Palms, but on account 

 of its lack of grace it has now gone out of 

 fashion. It is native of China and Japan, 

 and may be grown in the greenhouse or kept 

 in good condition for a long time in a room. 



Phoenix. From an economic standpoint 

 the most valuable is the Date Palm (Phoenix 

 dactylifera), but in a small state it is not 

 ornamental. Some kinds are, however, of 

 considerable value for decorative purposes, 

 notably P. canariensis, that forms a bold, 



