266 Notes on Planting. 



One of the hardiest and most effective of these dwarf palms is 

 the Cycas revoluta, the extensive cultivation of which by the Jap- 

 anese, the most artistic gardeners of the world, is one of its best 

 recommendations. At the Coronado hotel court are two plants, 

 three to four feet high, standingin the extreme southeast and south- 

 west comers of the court. 



Though choice plants when set the^- have made a remarkable 

 growth, and are now exceptionalh' handsome specimens. One has 

 just thrown up a flower stalk over one foot high, and the plants 

 will be most interesting during this summer, and well worthy of 

 close observation. Such plants in boxes could not be duplicated in 

 California for less than $100 each. The value of this palm is rated 

 by the height and diameter of the trunk as well as by the condition 

 of the foliage, and when exported from Japan are sent bare of leaves 

 and sold by the pound. It requires abovit three 3'ears for a small 

 plant to become well established, and after that the growth is quite 

 rapid. 



Seaforthia elegans is a beautiful palm, well known b}- all lovers 

 of decorative plants, and extensively grown in all large conserva- 

 tories in the east and Europe. 



It grows with a slim, bare trunk, free from leaf scars, the huge, 

 graceful, plume-like leaves growing only from the top. It occupies, 

 even when large, onh^ a small amount of ground space, towers high 

 and casts but little shade. This palm thrives well in the open air in 

 San Diego and is deserving of extensive cultivation. As sheltered a 

 location as possible is best, for the wind will often whip and break 

 the pinnae of the large leaf. 



Seaforthia robusta is an equally handsome palm and is shown 

 by but one beautiful plant in the Hotel Coronado court. It bears 

 more leaves and does not have as tall a trunk as S. elegans. The 

 leaves are ver3' beautiful and graceful like plumes and are not easily 

 broken by the w^ind. 



After observing these two sorts ot seaforthias in the Coronado 

 hotel couft, as. they grow side by sid^,.tum to the.two Roj-al palms, 

 on either side of the fountain there growing. They were brought 

 from Honolulu when the stems were about six inches in diameter, 

 and in three years you can see the change. They are a very fast 

 growing palm and the larger one is now the tallest plant in the 

 court. At Honolulu the sky is fairly brushed v^'ith their regal 

 plumes. 



Lower California and her Pacific islands are the home of three 

 handsome fan palms, all to be seen growing luxuriantly in this city, 

 and are well v/orth attention and studv. 



