Palms. 37 



the gardens of Alexandria and Cairo, and can be 

 propagated by cuttings. 



P. Veitchii. A very decorative dwarf variety, with 

 striped leaves. It is usually grown in pots, as it 

 requires protection during the winter, when care should 

 be taken that the water does not lodge in the leaves, 

 which will cause the heart to rot and destroy the 

 plant. It is easily propagated by suckers, which are 

 borne in great abundance on the old plants. 



Other varieties cultivated for decorative purposes 

 are : P. bifurcatus^ P. graminifolius > P. ornatus, P. 

 spectabilis, and P. utilis. 



Cycads. A curious genus of plants, resembling a 

 fern and a palm, but bearing a cone-like fruit. They 

 are representatives of a very ancient flora. The leaves 

 which are long and pinnate, radiate from the stem 

 and form a complete circle. The crown is exceedingly 

 handsome when the young leaves are appearing in the 

 spring, at which time a little manure water will be 

 of help to their roots. Some varieties are propagated 

 from suckers and seeds, but being of slow growth it is 

 usual to import the stems. The plants are very 

 subject to the attacks of scale and other insect pests, 

 and require constantly looking over. Pot in sandy 

 loam, broken brick, and leaf soil. 



Cycas revoluta. A native of Japan, has now become 

 naturalised here. It is a very hardy plant, and can 

 be propagated from suckers. 



C. circinalis. This plant is of a more delicate 

 growth, with longer leaves of a polished light green. 

 Plants that have become sickly should be taken out 

 of the soil, and any decayed parts at the roots and 

 base of the stem, scraped off. The stems, after 

 being dried in the sun for a day or two, should 

 be then repotted and placed or plunged in the soil. 



Other varieties as Encephalartos Caffra, E. horridus, 

 Zamia integrifolia, Z. Lindenii^ Macrozamia mackenzii, 

 M. plumosa, and M. corallipes might with advantage be 

 introduced for cultivation. 



