Palms. 33 



in Alexandria. It has a tall, smooth stem, swollen 

 slightly at the base, and a massive head of feather- 

 like leaves. It is one of the best palms for an 

 avenue, and if planted in groups of five or seven, it 

 has^a rich tropical effect in a large garden, 



Cocos nucifera The Cocoa-nut Palm Groz-zel- 

 Ind. This species is, without exception, the most 

 extensively cultivated tree in the tropics. When 

 cultivated, it begins to form a stem and bear fruit 

 about the eighth year, and continuing from seventy 

 to eighty years, growing from 4oft. to Soft, in height, 

 and bearing annually from thirty to sixty nuts. It 

 grows best near the sea in salty soil, but the winter 

 temperature of Alexandria is too severe for it. A 

 specimen plant in a sheltered part of the garden of the 

 Alexandria Water Works, has stood outside for several 

 years. For pot culture it makes an excellent specimen 

 plant, and if protected in winter it will last for several 

 years. For this purpose, the nuts should be obtained from 

 the bazaars, those being chosen which have their kernel 

 shooting out. These should be planted in pots with 

 the shoot just level with the soil, stood in a shady 

 position, and watered sparingly until the leaves appear. 

 The palms will form nice specimens by the second 

 year, the leaves being partly fan-shaped, with yellow 

 stems, but becoming pinnate as the plant increases in 

 age. A little salt-water may be given occasionally. 



C. plumosa. A very ornamental species with light 

 drooping foliage. Small plants are very useful as a 

 background in glasshouses. 



C. Weddeliana. A dwarf variety, with a slender 

 stem and graceful arched leaves. It is perhaps the 

 handsomest pot palm for a greenhouse, but is some- 

 what difficult to cultivate. 



Chamaedorea, sp. A climbing palm with a slender 

 notched stem and a crown of broadly pinnate leaves 

 at the top. Small plants in pots are only met with. 



Cham&rops Fortune! The European Fan Palm. 

 This is, perhaps, the hardiest species of the Palmeae, 



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