92 PALMS. 



THKINAX. 



A genus of the fan-palm, some of the species of which are 

 very elegant and well adapted for exhibition. Three of the 

 best are T. elegans, T. muttiflora, and T. -parvijiora. They 

 should be grown in a mixture of rich loam, peat, and river 

 sand, and luxuriate in a warm moist atmosphere while making 

 their growth. 



VERSCHAFFELTIA. 



This genus includes one grand species for exhibition pur- 

 poses, V. splendida, which is a very distinct palm, and forms 

 a fine contrast among others of the family. It is a native of 

 the Seychelles Islands, and requires similar treatment to the 

 Phoenicophorium . 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



The general details of the cultivation of every species of 

 palm are given at length in many excellent works on stove 

 and greenhouse plants, easy of access to all wishing for in- 

 formation, so that we have confined our remarks to a few 

 leading points in their special culture for exhibition. To that 

 we may now add some useful hints of general application to 

 the class. Every precaution should be taken, and every 

 means used, to preserve the foliage of palms in a perfect 

 state, as upon that alone are they valued as exhibition speci- 

 mens. Insects of every kind should be diligently watched 

 for, and all known means of prevention used to keep the 

 plants free from their attack ; and should they ever appear, 

 no time should be lost in extirpating them. Palms delight 

 in a rather close moi.st atmosphere while they are making 

 growth, and are much benefited by a judicious use of arti- 

 ficial and liquid manures. As a rule, they thrive best when 

 grown in moderate-sized pots, which the roots can quickly 

 fill after a shift. Great care must always be exercised in 

 watering newly shifted palms, because over- watering is certain 

 to sour the soil, and the result will be disappointment ; at the 

 same time, they must not be allowed to suffer from want of 

 water, the result of which will be equally detrimental to the 



