104 THE GARDEN BEAUTIFUL 



nese parsley fern, and Polystichum angulare, var. 

 proliferum, are the most easily grown. 



A fern ball of Davallia bullata needs an annual 

 rest. Gradually dry it off and allow it to remain dor- 

 mant for a time. This should be done once each year 

 at the season when you can best spare it or when 

 you can give it the least attention. When you again 

 start it into life do not let it get dry at any time but 

 keep it soaked by immersion in a pail of water when- 

 ever necessary. When the growth is strong and 

 healthy soak it about once each month in weak 

 manure water. 



PALMS 



The most popular house plants are the kentias, so 

 called, and they will doubtless never be superseded, 

 for they very closely approach the ideal. Next to 

 the aspidistra and rubber plant they will stand more 

 neglect and abuse than any others and far surpass 

 in graceful beauty either of the plants mentioned. 

 There are but two species, K. Belmoreana and K. 

 Fosteriana, both properly Howeas, though Hedescepe 

 Canterburyana is also called a Kentia. 



The owner of house palms should see that they 

 get frequent baths and that the fronds are properly 

 sponged off. The leaves of a plant are its lungs and 

 are full of pores much the same in size and construc- 

 tion as those in the human skin, and if these are 

 allowed to remain clogged with dirt and dust an un- 

 healthy condition must eventually ensue. 



Phoenix Roebelenii, the dwarf phoenix, a new 

 and beautiful species introduced a few years ago, 

 has taken a leading position in the none too long 

 list of palms suitable for interior decoration. It is 

 an extremely slow grower, much the same shape 

 as other phoenix, but miniature in size. This species 



